Genoese Nut Diamonds Recipes

ALMOND-RYE HEART COOKIES

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse almonds and flours until nuts are finely ground. Add salt and cinnamon; pulse to combine.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Add egg yolk and almond extract; beat until combined. Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour mixture until just combined.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll tablespoon-size portions of dough into 1/4-inch-thick ropes, each about 7 inches long. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets and shape into hearts. Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes.
• Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are golden brown and crisp, about 17 minutes. Let cool completely on baking sheets on wire racks. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

PANDOLCE GENOVESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Sift both types of flour, the baking powder, and salt together into a medium-sized mixing bowl; set aside. In a separate large-sized bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the sugar and butter until creamy. Add the eggs and mix until combined. When combined, stop the mixer and add the dry ingredients. Mix at a slow speed until combined. Add the milk, vanilla, orange oil, almond oil, and lemon oil. Stop the mixer and add the soaked raisins, fennel seeds, pignoli, and the lemon and orange peels. Mix until the dough is sticky and moist.
• On a floured counter top, gently shape the dough with your hands and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Form each piece into the shape of a mountain and place the dough mounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a wooden skewer into the mounds. If the mounds are done, the wooden skewer should come out clean.
• Let the Pandolce cool completely. Wrap each loaf with plastic wrap, taking care to ensure that the wrapping is airtight. Tie each loaf with a ribbon. The flavors will develop with time. The Pandolce can be stored for about 2 months.