Almond Macaroons

Tomorrow evening is our first Cooking Club and it is at our house, there are 8 couples who are going to alternate cooking dinner once a month for the group while everyone else brings cheese and wine. We picked out an Italian Menu from the Joy of Cooking and I found Almond Macaroons for dessert. Sounded like a winner to me.

Ingredients

7 ounces of Almond Paste (usually in the baking aisle)

1 cup Powdered Sugar

Pinch of Salt

3 Large Egg Whites (at Room temperature)

1 teaspoon Pure Almond Extract

Directions

• Combine the almond paste, slat and powdered sugar in a food processor for about a minute.
• Add the egg whites and the almond extract
• Cook the mixture in a large saucepan about 4 minutes. Place into a bowl and refrigerate 20-30 minutes.
• Line two cookie sheets with silpats or wax paper and place a spoonful of the mixture. Keep about 2 inches between each.
• Cook each pan separately or in two different ovens at 350 for 15-17 minutes, until golden brown,
• Let cool and place in an air tight container.

I hope everyone enjoys this tomorrow night with some ice cream and a to be determined dessert Of course I had to taste test a few and these are crisp with a full almond flavor. Yum! I am looking forward to dipping these in ice cream.