Almond cookies are always simple, easy to make and so tasty. It’s everyone’s favorite, and you just can’t go wrong if you bring a batch in a nice cookie jar of tin can.
These almond Florentine cookies are also very easy to make – a short crust pastry base topped with almond and honey layer with a great caramelized texture (without making caramel!). so easy and so delicious!
Photo: Natalie Levin
Almond Florentine Cookies
For short crust pastry:
- 75 grams (1/3 cup) cold butter (cut into cubes)
- 50 grams (5 tbsp.) icing sugar
- 100 grams (3/4 cup) all-purpose flour
- 35 grams (1/4 cup) cornstarch
- A pinch of baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp. milk (as needed)
For almond and honey layer:
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 20 grams (1 tbsp.) honey
- 45 ml. (3 tbsp.) heavy cream
- 100 grams (1 cup) sliced blanched almonds
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- Crust: preheat oven to 170c degrees and grease the pan.
- In a food processor with a steel blade put butter, icing sugar, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and vanilla and process until mixture is crumbly.
- Add a tablespoon of milk and continue to process just until dough clumps form. If the dough is not combining, add another tablespoon of milk.
- Transfer the dough chunks into the pan and press tightly with your hands to form a base.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until golden.
- Cool slightly at room temperature.
- Almond and honey layer: in a large skillet put sugar, water, honey and form caramel.
- Meanwhile, heat cream and add into the skillet as soon as the caramel is ready.
- Mix well until a smooth caramel sauce is formed.
- Add almonds, cornstarch, salt and lemon zest and mix into a smooth mixture.
- Pour the almonds on top of the baked crust and level the top as much as possible in a thin layer.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the golden and set.
- Cool completely, cut into squares and serve.
- Keep the cookies in a sealed jar at room temperature up to a week.
- Instead of almonds you can use any other kind of nut you like.
- You can use maple or date syrup instead of honey.