Chocolate Cherry Amaretti
Great British Bake Off this week saw the contestants creating classic pastries like Cannoli and Sfogliatella, and this recipe by Leiths guest chef Ursula Ferrigno is bound to be another popular addition to your Italian baking repertoire!
Ingredients
Makes 12-14
250g/2½ cups freshly ground almonds (for maximum flavour)
120g/1¼ cups caster/granulated sugar
50g/½ cup dark/bittersweet chocolate, grated
60g/½ cup dried cherries, chopped
Finely grated zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
2 UK large/US extra large egg whites
A pinch of salt
30g/3½ tablespoons icing/confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160°c (325°F) Gas 3.
- Mix the almonds, caster/granulated sugar, chocolate, cherries and lemon zest together.
- Whisk the egg whites until firm and add to the almond mixture with the salt. Mix well. The mixture should be damp.
- Sift the icing/confectioners' sugar into a bowl.
- Form balls with the almond mixture, about the size of three-quarters of a tablespoon.
- Roll in icing/confectioners' sugar and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until they have a golden tinge, approximately 12-14 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Are you inspired by Italian cuisine? Learn more with Ursula in her Flavours of Sicily or Italian Winter Feast classes and create delicious authentic dishes 'a casa lingor' (at home)!
