Ladies' Kisses

16 servings

60 minutes

A recipe from Piedmont, where hazelnuts grow in abundance and, naturally, are included in the recipes of many dishes. Nutella, a nut spread, also comes from northern Italy. In the round "kisses", ground hazelnuts are mixed directly into the dough , and then pairs of cookies are glued together with chocolate, hence the name: supposedly, mature ladies' kisses are just as strong and sweet. The shape of baci di dama resembles a macaroon, and many gastronomic historians are sure that French almond pastries originated from this Piedmontese dessert. Be that as it may, "kisses" are much easier to prepare than macaroons, and the pleasure from them is no less.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 170.8
• Proteins: 2g
• Fats: 11.6g
• Carbohydrates: 14.6g

Ingredients

• Hazelnut: 100 g
• Butter: 100 g
• Sugar: 100 g
• Wheat flour: 100 g
• Dark chocolate: 100 g

Cooking steps

1. If the hazelnuts are not peeled from the dark skin, send them to a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 5 minutes, then wrap in a kitchen towel and roll with your palms on the table. The skin will remain on the towel. If the hazelnut kernels are white, just roast them.

   Required ingredients:

   • Hazelnut: 100 g

2. Chop the nuts in a blender into coarse crumbs. Do not grind too fine to avoid turning it into paste.

   Required ingredients:

   • Hazelnut: 100 g

3. Mix nuts with butter and sugar using a mixer until the sugar dissolves.

   Required ingredients:

   • Hazelnut: 100 g
   • Butter: 100 g
   • Sugar: 100 g

4. Sift the flour and gradually add it to the butter-nut mixture while continuing to stir.

   Required ingredients:

   • Wheat flour: 100 g

5. Knead the dough until smooth and refrigerate for 1 hour.

6. Take 1 teaspoon of dough, roll it into a ball and slightly flatten it. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

7. Prepare the other 'Kissies' by placing them on the baking sheet 2 cm apart.

8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for about 15 minutes. Let it cool completely.

9. Prepare the filling. Break the chocolate into small pieces and place them in a bowl.

   Required ingredients:

   • Dark chocolate: 100 g

10. Melt chocolate in the microwave, taking it out and stirring every 10 seconds.

    Required ingredients:

    • Dark chocolate: 100 g

11. Spread chocolate on half of the 'Kiss' candies and set aside for 15 minutes.

    Required ingredients:

    • Dark chocolate: 100 g

12. Cover the filling with a second cookie to make a sandwich. Place in the fridge to let the chocolate set well. Serve the 'Lady Kisses' cookies as an aperitif or with a cup of espresso.