Spumoni Cookies

(Makes 20 cookies)

Ingredients:

8 ounces almond paste

½ cup sugar

½ teaspoon salt

2 large egg whites, room temperature

2 teaspoons Amaretto (or almond extract)

½ cup cacao nibs

½ cup chopped pistachios

12 maraschino cherries, chopped and blotted dry (or ½ cup chopped dried cherries)

1 tablespoon lemon zest

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a food processor, blend the almond paste, sugar, salt, and egg whites until the mixture is a smooth paste.

3. By hand, stir in the nibs, nuts, cherries, and lemon zest.

4. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and press down slightly with dampened fingers to flatten the tops.

5. Bake the cookies for 35 minutes, until they're brown around the edges. Allow to set for 5 minutes before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack.

 - Against The Grain