chocolate dipped almond cookies (pain d'amande)
These almond cookies are the epitome of simple done really, really well. They’re crisp, crunchy, nutty, and have just a touch of cinnamon for warmth. Make these cookies as is, for a delicately crisp tea cookie, or dress them up with dark chocolate, orange zest, and extra cinnamon for a holiday twist.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 70
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
ingredients
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/3 cups turbinado sugar
- 2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup melted dark chocolate, for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat with the water, cinnamon and salt. Don't let the mixture boil. Stir until the butter is just about melted, with a few pieces still floating, then stir in the sugar. This will maintain the crystal structure of sugar and prevent it from fully dissolving.
- Remove from heat and stir in the almonds. Sprinkle the baking soda over the mixture and mix well. Then stir in the flour until well mixed.
- Line a 9-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap and press the dough into the pan. Smooth the top and chill until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Slice the dough into rectangles, as thin as possible (aim for thickness of a coin).
- Space the cookies on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 8- 12 minutes, or until the cookies feel slightly firm and the undersides are golden brown. Flip the cookies over and bake an additional 8- 12 minutes, until the cookies are crisp and deep golden-brown on top.
- Cool completely. Dip in melted dark chocolate, if desired.
Notes
- makes 70-80 cookies (depending on how thinly you slice them) | recipe adapted from Flo Baker via David Lebovitz
- The almond cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to a week. The dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, or frozen for up to two months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 69
- Sugar: 5.4g
- Sodium: 39mg
- Fat: 3.2g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9.3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.9g
- Cholesterol: 3.7mg