Go Back
+ servings

sugarsalted.com

Italian crunchy almond cookies (Castagnelle)

Soft yet crunchy cookies, a mix of almonds, cinnamon, orange and cocoa, they are delicious and perfect for cookie boxes! 
Prep 45 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 36

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch processed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • zest of 1 organic orange
  • 1/4 cup fresh hot coffee
  • 1 tablespoon milk dairy or plant based milk both work
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • Prepare almonds: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and place almonds on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Toast on the oven until fragrant, 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and finely chop. 
  • Meanwhile make the dough: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cocoa and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in chopped almonds and orange zest. 
  • Make a well in the center and pour in coffee and milk, whisking slowly. Keep mixing and kneading until you get a lump of dough without any dry patches. (If you have crumbs of flour that won’t stick add 1 tbsp of coffee or milk. If it's too sticky add more flour.) You want a stiff lump of dough that isn’t sticky or dry. 
  • Divide dough into 4 parts. Dust your fingers with flour and roll each one into a thin log, about 10 x 1 inch (25 x 2,5 cm) long. Cut each one on the diagonal into about 1-inch (2.5 cm) shapes. Place them on a lined baking sheet about 1/2 inch (1 cm) apart.
  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, just until they are set and dry to the touch, but still soft (if you press one it has to indent). 
  • Remove from oven, allow to cool to room temperature and dust with powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks (possibly more but they never last that long for us). 

Notes

  • The coffee isn’t noticeable in baked cookies and is used only to intensify the flavor of cocoa. You can use decaffeinated coffee or hot cocoa instead. 
  • You can use lemon zest instead of orange or a mix of the two. 
  • This recipe is adapted from the cookbook Southern Italian Desserts, by Rosetta Costantino and Jennie Schacht.