Basler Brunsli

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 50 mins

Ingredients

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
• 3 cups almonds, ground
• 3 tablespoons kirsch
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Recipe

• 1 in a food processor, pulse together the chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon and cloves until finely ground.
• 2 set aside.
• 3 in a large bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy.
• 4 beat in the superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form.
• 5 fold in the chocolate mixture, almonds and kirsch until just combined.
• 6 divide the dough in half and shape into rectangles.
• 7 wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• 8 sprinkle the work surface with half of the granulated sugar.
• 9 working with 1 piece of dough, turn 2 or 3 times to coat with sugar.
• 10 roll out to a scant 1/2" thickness.
• 11 using a 2" heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut into hearts.
• 12 repeat with the remaining dough.
• 13 place on a sheet of waxed paper and sprinkle with the coarse sugar.
• 14 let dry for 1 hour.
• 15 line rimless baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 16 arrange the cookies, about 1 inch apart, on the pans.
• 17 bake in the centre of a 325 degree f oven just until firm, about 20 minutes.
• 18 transfer to racks and let cool completely.