These famous seductive and fragrant cookies are a masterpiece of Itallian pastry, specialty of the Piedmontese city Tortona. The legend says they were made in 1800 by a chef trying to impress king Vittorio Emanuelle. The cookies were meant to remind of a kiss between two lovers.
This recipe is from La Cucina degli Italiani written by Vincenzo Buonassisi and published in 1988. The cookbook is a result of an extensive research of the author and contains 2500 authentic recipes.
Baci di Dama (Ladies’ Kisses)
(via Sale & Pepe magazine, Serbian issue, October 2011)
150 g flour
150 g blanched and toasted ground almonds*
150 g sugar
150 g butter
40 g dark chocolate
*Begin with about 200 g raw almonds. Boil some water in a small pot. When it boils, remove from heat and put almonds inside. Let them soak for a few minutes. Remove the skins. Put almonds on a large oven pan and toast them in the oven until they begin to brown. Finally, grind them. I like to use this grinder as it gives them a finer texture then regular blender.
Knead everything into smooth dough. Shape small balls the size of marbles.
Line large oven pan with baking paper and place dough balls on it. Bake in a preheated oven on 160°C/320°F for about 20-25 minutes. This amount is for 2 pans.