Italian Almond Paste Cookies

So begins the mass posting of Christmas cookies.  This is a wonderful Italian cookie.  It is light and gives a little crunch on the outside with a super soft sticky center.  I have made these with flour and the texture was never quite right.  The secret is the bread crumbs!  It makes the texture amazing and perfect.  It is the best almond paste cookie recipe I have found and came out fantastic!  It is also pretty easy and came together in a flash. Enjoy!



ITALIAN ALMOND PASTE COOKIES

• 16 oz almond paste
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup 10x (powered) sugar
• 4 egg whites
• 1 c. fresh plain bread crumbs (can use 1 c. flour in a pinch)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 c. sliced almonds

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.  Grind almond paste in food processor. Then add sugars and grind until sandy like consistency.  In mixer, beat 4 egg whites until foamy and doubled in size.  Add almond paste mixture, vanilla and bread crumbs.  Mix until just combined.  Chill for 1/2 hour.  Use small cookie scoop and place 2" apart on parchment lined cookie sheet.  Place sliced almonds on tops of cookies.  Preheat oven to 350, and bake 12-15 minutes until edges just begin to brown.  Take out of oven and let sit 5-10 min on cookie sheet.  Carefully move to cooling rack.