Crunchy Chewy Flax Almond Macaroons Egg Free Recipes

Steps:

• Whisk the first two ingredients together in a bowl and let stand at least 2-3 minutes before use.
• Using a hand mixer, beat the sugar & 5 T. hot water together in a large bowl for 2-3 minutes (to allow some of the sugar to "melt").
• Gradually add the flax mixture and all the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
• If making as biscotti or chewy bars, grease and flour an 8x11" baking tin (as per kokeshi doll below) or a 10" round springform pan before adding the dough. Bake at 350F for 40 minutes. Remove promptly to a wire rack.
• If making as cookies or macaroons, grease and flour a cookie sheet before placing 1" balls of dough approximately 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes. Remove promptly to a wire rack.
• NB If you want these to be chewy, do not allow them to brown at the edges. Otherwise they will be as hard as hockey pucks!
• PS I preferred using my Bosch Kitchen Machine (the large bowl & dough hooks) to a hand mixer for this heavy batter.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Put the ground almonds and sugar in a large mixing bowl and mix to combine.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy, then add to the almond and sugar mixture. Stir well - it will form a slightly sticky mixture but should hold its shape.
• Wet your hands lightly and roll a heaped teaspoon of the mixture into a ball between your palms - it should be about 4cm in diameter. Put on the tray and flatten slightly with wet fingers to a thick disc, leaving at least 3cm between each biscuit. Press a blanched almond into each one, if you like.
• Bake for 18-20 mins until just starting to turn golden around the edges, then remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack. You want them to have a chewy, soft centre and the darker they get the harder the middle will be.
• To make cinnamon balls, add the cinnamon to the almonds and sugar before you add the egg white. When shaping, leave them as balls. Bake for 18-20 mins - you want them to stay soft in the centre. While they are still warm, put them gently in a bowl of icing sugar and turn to coat. Leave until completely cooled.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients.
• With damp fingers, shape into 1 1/2 inch mounds on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
• Bake at 300 F for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
• Remove from the pans to wire racks to cool.