Venezuelan-born Elsa Elena Escobar enjoys to share her tradition as a result of the delightful recipes she results in. In 2018, she shared her recipe with us for mochachino almond Christmas log cookies, which materialize to be gluten-free.
Mochachino almond Christmas log
Helps make 24 cookies
For the cookie:
3½ cups almond flour or almond food
1 cup granulated white sugar
3 significant egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon fast espresso powder
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon boiling drinking water
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 tablespoon Khalua, eggnog or any liquor you choose. (Can substitute it for 1 tablespoon of any fruit jam or jelly of your preference)
For the decoration:
1 egg white, a bit overwhelmed with a fork
Pinch of salt
1½ cups sliced almonds, placed in a pie plate
Purple candied cherries, lower in fifty percent
Inexperienced candied cherries, reduce in fourths
Powdered sugar for dusting the cookies right after baking
1. For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 325 levels. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a compact bowl, dissolve the instant coffee powder and the cocoa powder with the tablespoon of boiling water. Add the almond extract and the liquor, if making use of, to the combination.
3. Combine the almond flour and ½ cup of the sugar in a medium bowl. Set apart.
4. In a big mixing bowl, working with an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt till delicate peaks are formed. Increase the remaining ½ cup of sugar and continue to keep beating for 1 moment. Incorporate the coffee and cocoa mixture.
5. Incorporate the flour and sugar combination to the egg white combination and fold thoroughly right until perfectly mixed and a sticky dough is shaped.
6. Divide the dough into 24 balls. Roll each ball into a log and place on ready baking sheet 2 inches aside. You will have 24 logs on the baking sheets. (To roll the balls additional quickly, damp your fingers with a bit of drinking water, when essential).
7. For decoration: Take each and every log from the baking sheet, roll into the egg white mixture to start with and then roll into the sliced almonds. Put the logs back again on the baking sheet and embellish them with the purple and eco-friendly candied cherries. Press the 50 % red candied cherry in the heart of the log and the quarter green cherries at the sides, resembling a Xmas flower.
8. Bake the cookies for 20 minutes or right up until frivolously company. If you desire a crispier cookie, leave in the oven for 1 or 2 minutes more.
9. Allow neat 10 minutes on the baking sheets. Transfer them to a wire rack to great absolutely. Dust the cookies with the powdered sugar.
Take note: These cookies can be piped way too. Use a pastry bag with a substantial star idea, these kinds of as the Ateco 827. The logs will be a bit much more realistic owing to the texture of the suggestion marks.
Can be stored in an airtight container for two or additional months at home temperature. They freeze very properly for 2 to 3 months.