Almond Macaroons (makroul El Louse)

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• 4 cups ground almonds (1-1/2 lbs.)
• 1 3/8 cups granulated sugar
• lemon zest, grated (peel of 1 lemon)
• 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
• all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons orange juice or 2 teaspoons orange-flavored liqueur
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350ºf. in a large bowl, combine almonds, 1-1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and lemon peel. beat in eggs.
• 2 divide almond mixture in half. dust your hands with flour. with floured hands, shape each half of almond mixture into a roll, 1-1/2 inches in diameter. cut each roll into 18 slices. with floured hands, shape each slice into a ball; sprinkle with flour.
• 3 place balls on an ungreased baking sheet; bake 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. cool on a rack.
• 4 in a small saucepan, combine remaining 1/8 cup granulated sugar and water. bring to a boil, stirring constantly. boil until syrup forms, 15 to 20 minutes; do not let syrup brown. pour syrup into a shallow bowl. cool, then stir in orange juice or liqueur. dip baked macaroons into syrup, then roll in powdered sugar; set aside to dry.