quaresimali (lenten almond biscuits)

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 3 cups almonds
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk

Recipe

• pre-heat oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c).
• toast almonds in jelly roll pan for 10 minutes. let cool. grind finely 1/4 of the almonds, mix with 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and set aside.
• grind coarsely the remaining 3/4 almonds and set aside. in a large bowl stir together flour, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. add the butter and stir until all ingredients are combined.
• stir in coarsely ground almonds and the 2 of the eggs, then knead the dough in the bowl until all ingredients are combined. divide dough in half.
• form each half into a rectangle 15 x 4 inches. transfer rectangles to baking sheets which have been buttered and floured. brush rectangles well with 1 egg combined with 2 tablespoons of milk. sprinkle with reserved almond/sugar mixture. bake them in the upper third of the oven (375 degrees f - 190 degrees c) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and skewer comes out clean. cut rectangles crosswise into slices 3/4 inch thick. let stand 15 minutes in the turned-off oven. transfer to racks and let cool thoroughly. store airtight.