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Fave dei morti
Bean-shaped almond biscuits
Fave dei morti: almond biscuits shaped like broad beans for All Souls' Day
On 2 November, All Souls' Day (il Giorno dei Morti), many Italian regions, especially Lombardy, Veneto and Rome, make fave dei morti: small, pale almond biscuits shaped like broad beans. Beans were once linked with the dead and given as alms at funerals, and these sweet 'beans' replaced them; in Venice they come in pink, white and brown. They are crisp outside and chewy within. Chef's tip: press a thumb lightly into each one to make the bean's dimple; it also helps them bake evenly.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
- 7 oz ground almonds
- 5 ½ oz caster sugar
- 1 ⅜ oz plain flour
- 1 lemonzest only
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)optional, for brown ones
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan) and line two trays.
Step 2: Mix 7 oz ground almonds, 5 ½ oz caster sugar, 1 ⅜ oz plain flour, 1 lemon and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, then work in 1 egg white to a firm paste. If you want brown beans, knead 1 tsp cocoa powder into a third of it.
Step 3: Roll into balls the size of a hazelnut, shape each into a slightly flattened oval, and press a light dimple into one side with your thumb.
15 minStep 4: Bake for 12–15 minutes, until just golden at the base and firm on top. A common mistake is overbaking, which makes them hard as pebbles.
14 minStep 5: Cool on the trays. Store in a tin for 2 weeks.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 90 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fave dei morti take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of ground almonds?
- Ground cashews, same amount.
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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