Meringue Recipes - Sicilian Macaroons Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup/150 g blanched almonds, toasted and finely ground

• 1/2 cup/100 g vanilla sugar

• 4 tbsp orange flavored sugar

• 2 large egg whites

• 1/4 tsp almond extract/essence

• 15 blanched almonds or almond halves

• 1 tsp water

• 3 tbsp confectioners'/icing sugar, to dust

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C/gas 5. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix the almonds with the egg white in a food processor to form a smooth paste.

3. Mix the vanilla and orange sugars and gradually work the sugars into the almond paste until the mixture is soft. Add the almond extract.

4. Form the mixture into balls the size of walnuts. Place 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared cookie sheet, flattening them slightly.

5. Lightly press an almond into the top of each cookie. Brush with the water and dust with the confectioners' sugar.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and slightly firm to the touch.

7. Transfer the cookies on their parchment to racks and cool until they firm slightly. Peel from the paper and let cool completely.