BADEM PARE ( ALMOND COOKIES IN SYRUP)

Time: 60 minutes.

Serve: 24 cookies.

This dessert is really an almond-based biscuit dipped in syrup. There are several version of this particular sweet which is famous and traditional dessert at the Turkish cuisine. I tried this traditional Turkish dessert for you and it is a very delicious dessert. If you desire, you can serve it with ice-cream. I hope you will try it someday and enjoy this traditional dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

110g. butter

2 eggs

110g.caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda, pinch salt

250-275g. plain flour, sifted

75g, almonds, toasted under a grill and ground

INGREDIENTS FOR SYRUP:

2 cups sugar

2cups and 1/2cup water

1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Put the sugar and water in a large saucepan and bringing to the boil. Simmer for about 10 minutes or until the syrup thinly coast a spoon. Set aside to cool.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1-Place the butter in a large bowl with the sugar, soda and salt and cream until Smoot. Add the flour and ground almonds and mix in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

2-Break the eggs into a small bowl and beat well. Pour most of the egg into the mixture, retaining just enough to coat the tops of rounds. Use your hands, knead the egg into the mixture until Smooth and forming a ball. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside for 15 minutes.

3- Cut walnut-sized lumps of dough and roll into balls-about 20 or 24 pieces. Take a ball and press lightly between the palms. Place on a lightly greased baking tray. ( If you desire, you can make different shapes from the dough) Repeat with the remaining balls, placing them about 2.5cm apart on the baking trays. Brush the top of each round with a little of the remaining egg. Press a whole peeled almond in the centre of each.

4-Bake in an oven preheated to 180C (350F) FOR ABOUT 15-20 minutes or until the biscuits are light golden. Remove from the oven and place a deep serve platter, pour the warm syrup, set aside to cool.