Description
Baci di Alassio are traditional Italian chocolate hazelnut sandwich cookies made with ground hazelnuts, cocoa, and dark chocolate, filled with a rich chocolate ganache. Crisp on the outside and soft inside, they are a decadent treat perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) hazelnut flour (finely ground toasted hazelnuts)
- 1/2 cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (170g) dark chocolate, finely chopped (for filling)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream (for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together hazelnut flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt.
- In a separate clean bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites until fully incorporated.
- Transfer mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe small mounds onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until set. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Heat heavy cream until just simmering, then pour over chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth to form ganache. Let thicken slightly.
- Spread or pipe ganache onto the flat side of one cookie and sandwich with another. Let set before serving.
Notes
- Toast whole hazelnuts before grinding for deeper flavor.
- Ensure no yolk contaminates egg whites for proper whipping.
- Let ganache cool slightly so it thickens for easier spreading.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
