Amaretti Biscuits

Although I have not tried making these before I understand they are absolutely gorgeous! The recipe has been highly recommended and given to me by a friend who is studying Italian at university and who once lived it Italy for several years.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 30 Amaretti Biscuits (cookies)

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups  blanched almonds
• 1 1⁄4 cups caster sugar
• 1  pinch baking powder
• 4  egg whites
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract (or use Amaretto liqueur)

Directions

1. Butter a baking tray and flour it.
2. Put the almonds and a little sugar in a mortar and pound with the pestle to a powder.
3. (or use a food processor) Beat the egg WHITES until stiff.
4. Fold in the almond mixture, and THEN the almond extract or liqueur.
5. Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag.
6. Pipe the mixture onto the baking tray, making small rounds.
7. Bake until well dried out (about 40 minutes) and allow to cool before sprinkling with icing sugar (confectioners' sugar).