Recipes from Italy :: Italian Desserts
These cookies will be hard and chewy.
3 c. flour
1 lb. honey
1 lb. whole almonds, toasted*
1 tsp. black pepper (more if you like)
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
Rind of one orange, grated
1/2 tsp. baking powder
* Toast in a single layer at 350 degrees fahrenheit for about 15 mins. Watch carefully so they do not burn.
Mix flour and nuts. Add pepper, cloves, cinnamon, orange rind and baking powder. Put honey (bottle and all) into hot water to liquefy. (Can put into microwave, without the cap.) Mix honey with other ingredients. Shape dough into 4 flat sausage-shaped loaves. Bake on cookie sheet at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 1/2 an hour. Remove from oven and immediately slice very thin, about 1/4 to 1/8 in. thick. (Use thick pot holder, or wear gloves, if you have to). While slicing one, store the others in turned-off oven to keep warm.
NOTES: These keep well. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in airtight containers. Dough can be shaped into more than four loaves if you want to make them for gift-giving or to make them easier to handle.
