Makroud El Louse (Algerian Almond Cookies) - cooking recipe

Ingredients
    1 1/4 lbs almonds, whole, blanched
    1 cup sugar
    2 eggs, beaten lightly
    2 cups water
    1/2 cup sugar
    1 tablespoon orange flower water
    3 cups confectioners' sugar
Preparation
    Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
    Place the almonds and sugar in a food processor and process until the almonds are finely pulverized. Remove to a bowl.
    Make a well in the center of the almonds and stir in the eggs with a wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together. Then knead the dough with clean hands until smooth.
    Cut the dough into 4 equal portions and remove to a floured work surface. Roll one portion out into a rope about 3/4 inch in diameter. Press down with your palm to flatten the rope to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut the rope on a diagonal into 1-inch pieces and remove to an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
    Bake cookies for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly browned on top. Remove to racks and cool completely.
    While the cookies bake, bring the water and 1/2 cup sugar to a rapid boil in a saucepan over high heat. Stir to dissolve sugar and let boil for 10-15 minutes. Remove and cool to room temperature. Stir in the orange flower water.
    Put powdered sugar in a large bowl. To finish, dip each cookie first in the sugar syrup to wet. Then toss each cookie in the confectioner's sugar to coat well. Place on a rack to dry and repeat with the rest of the cookies.
    Variations:.
    Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the almond dough if you like.
    If you are unable to find orange flower water to flavor the syrup, try using 1 teaspoon of lemon essence instead.

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