566- Almond Ghriba (Mlouza) / غريبة اللّوز

Ingredients :

Cookie Dough Ingredients:
250 grams (9 oz) homemade almond paste
Zest of 1 lemon
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Shaping Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup orange blossom water (or just water)

Directions :

1- In a large bowl, combine the almond paste, lemon zest, egg yolk, and baking powder. Mix well by hand until all ingredients are well incorporated into a smooth dough.

2- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Prepare your station for rolling. You will need: the almond paste, powdered sugar in a plate, and orange blossom water.

3- Keep your hands moistened with some orange blossom water or just water, and begin shaping the almond mixture into balls the size of a walnut. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until all sides are well covered.

4- Place the cookies in a baking pan covered with parchment paper, and put a dent in the center of the each cookie with the tip of your finger.

5- Bake for about 15 minutes or until the cookies have a light golden color.

6- When Ghriba cookies are still hot, they are soft, but as they cool down, they become chewy. Let the cookies cool down completely before serving with mint tea!