Baci di dama (ladies’ kisses)

Name: Baci di dama ladies’ kisses
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: Serves 24
Ingredients: 105 gm (¾ cup) hazelnuts, roasted and peeled; 160 gm (1 cup) pure icing sugar; 125 gm softened butter; 1 orange, finely grated rind only; 1 vanilla bean, scraped seeds only; 150 gm (1 cup) plain flour; 150 gm dark chocolate (60% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped; 25 gm butter; 25 ml pouring cream

Perfect Mother's Day treat...

Apr 21, 2008 2:18am

By Gourmet Food Team

Serves 24
15 mins preparation
45 mins cooking

Baci di dama (ladies’ kisses)

These crumbly, bite-sized biscuits originate in Piedmont, famous for its hazelnuts and chocolate.

Ingredients

105 gm (¾ cup) hazelnuts, roasted and peeled
160 gm (1 cup) pure icing sugar
125 gm softened butter
1 orange, finely grated rind only
1 vanilla bean, scraped seeds only
150 gm (1 cup) plain flour

Chocolate filling

150 gm dark chocolate (60% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped
25 gm butter
25 ml pouring cream

Method

Main

1
Preheat oven to 180C. Using a food processor, process hazelnuts and icing sugar until nuts are finely ground.
2
Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, beat butter, rind, vanilla seeds, hazelnut mixture and a large pinch of salt until creamy, then add flour, stirring until just combined (do not overmix).
3
Roll half-teaspoon of dough into balls and arrange about 6cm apart on baking paper-lined oven trays. Bake one tray at a time in centre of oven until golden (12-15 minutes), then cool on trays over a wire rack. Repeat with remaining biscuits.
4
For chocolate filling, combine chocolate, butter and cream in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until melted. Stir until glossy and smooth, then cool to room temperature.
5
Spread half-teaspoon of chocolate filling onto the flat side of half the biscuits (you may have a little filling left over), then sandwich with remaining biscuits, pressing lightly together to seal. Biscuits will keep in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving.