Baci di Dama

Baci di Dama are a typical Italian biscuit and when I used to live in Italy back in my childhood days, I would go out from school and run to the bakery to get some of these delicious treats. Now that I live so far away from Europe I like to indulge in some of these traditional recipes that transport me back to those days. 

I used a recipe from here and below is the English version of it:

RECIPE

150g butter (softened)

150g flour

110g caster sugar

150g peeled almonds or hazelnuts (I used almonds)

1 generous pinch of salt

A few drops of vanilla extract (I used 1 vanilla pod instead)

Orange zest

FOR THE FILLING:

150g chocolate (I used Valrhona 70%)

1- Blend the sugar and the almonds together until a soft powder forms

2-In a separate bowl mix by hand the softened butter and the flower and when well amalgamated incorporate and mix the almond and sugar mixture

3-Add the zest of 1 orange, the vanilla and the pinch of salt, mix, wrap in cling film and lay the dough to rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

4- Once the dough has firmed up, form small sticks (as you can see in the second picture below) which you will then cut in small portions and roll in a ball shape to form your cookie. 

5- Set all the ready biscuits on a greaseproof paper and then on a baking tray which you will put back in the fridge for 30 minutes

6- In the meantime preheat your oven at 160 degrees C and melt the chocolate in a bain marie (or in the microwave)

7- Bake the biscuits for 20 minutes (or 30 minutes at 135 degrees C if using a convection oven) and leave them to cool completely

8- Once the biscuits have cooled and the melted chocolate has thickened use a spatula or a piping bag to place a drop of chocolate on the flat side of the biscuit and place another biscuit on top of it.

9- When the chocolate has completely cooled down in between the 2 biscuits your Baci di Dama are ready to serve!

Enjoy! 

PS. Happy Birthday Dad!