Ricciarelli are a typical Sienese sweet made from almonds, sugar, and egg whites.

Ricciarelli are made with a coarse-grained almond paste similar to marzipan, kneaded for a long time and enriched with candied orange peel and vanilla flavor.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups of almonds, blanched
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 and 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 tsp of almond extract
• 2 egg whites
• Parchment paper

DIRECTIONS:

In a 325 degree oven, toast the almonds until lightly colored.

Remove from oven and let cool.

In a food processor, blend together the almonds and sugar until the almonds a finely ground.

Add the powdered sugar, almond extract and the egg whites.

Remove the dough and shape into a rectangle.

Cut into diamond shapes about 2 inches long.

Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.

Cool the cookies on a wire rack.

Dust with the remaining powdered sugar.