Recipe: Baci Di Dama (Orange Almond Cookies)

BACI DI DAMA (ORANGE ALMOND COOKIES)
Source: The Encyclopedia of Italian Cooking
Makes 12-15

1 cup ground blanched almonds
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup minced candied orange peel
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted, divided use
6 to 8 tbsp milk
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces, melted

Put the ground almonds in a bowl with the sugar, orange peel and all but 1 tbsp of the flour. Mix well, then stir in enough milk to give a smooth, firm dough.

Roll into small balls and place, well apart, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tbsp flour.

Bake in a preheated moderate oven 350 degrees, for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

When cold, sandwich the cookies together in pairs with the melted chocolate. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.