Baci Di Dama (Almond Cookies)

Speciality of the kitchen of the Hotel Excelsior Grand Hotel Principi di Piemonte, Torino, Piemonte, Italia and comes off a clipping out of my grandmother's recipe box.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 20

Ingredients

• 1  cup  sweet almonds
• 1  cup  bitter  almonds
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2  cups sugar
• 5  egg whites

Directions

1. Blanch and toast the almonds. Peel and chop them very finely or crush them in a mortar with 1/2 cup sugar.
2. Add the vanilla, beat egg whites till stiffened, then fold in the almonds.
3. Spoon the batter into a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip. Pipe 2 l/2-in. wide rounds about 1 1/2 apart on a buttered baking sheet and flatten them a bit.
4. Sift the confectioner's sugar over the tops and let stand at room temperature 1-2 hours.
5. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF and bake for about 20 minutes
6. Remove from oven and cool. Amaretti may be kept in a sealed box for several days.