Baci di Dama
Ingredients
- 150 g butter, softened
- 150 g sugar
- 150 g ground hazelnuts
- 150 g flour
- vanilla, lemon zest, pinch of salt
- 100 g dark chocolate, and hazelnut paste, optional, for the filling
Originating in Tortona, in Italy's Piedmont region — famous for both its hazelnuts and its chocolate — baci di dama ('lady's kisses') are small, round, egg-free cookies made from equal parts butter, sugar, ground hazelnuts and flour. Once baked, pairs of cookies are sandwiched together with melted dark chocolate, sometimes loosened with a little hazelnut paste, resembling two lips meeting in a kiss.
Method
Cream the softened butter with the sugar until smooth.
Mix in the ground hazelnuts, flour, vanilla, lemon zest and salt until a smooth dough forms.
Chill the dough briefly, then roll into small, even balls (about 1 teaspoon each) and place on a lined tray.
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 18-20 minutes, until just set and pale golden on the bottom.
Cool completely.
Melt the dark chocolate (stirring in a little hazelnut paste if using) and let it thicken slightly.
Spread a small amount on the flat side of one cookie and press another cookie on top to sandwich.
