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Makrout el louz
Algerian iced almond diamonds with lemon and orange blossom
Makrout el louz are the elegant almond sweets of Algiers and Constantine, piled on silver trays for weddings, Eid and engagement visits. Unlike fried, date-filled makroudh, they are baked: a paste of ground almonds, sugar, egg and lemon zest is cut into diamonds, baked pale, then dipped in a light syrup and rolled in icing sugar so they look frosted. Chef's tip: bake them only until firm and barely coloured underneath; brown edges harden and stop the syrup soaking in.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
For the paste
For the syrup and coating
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 325°F (275°F fan) and line a tray with baking paper. Mix 1 ⅛ lb ground almonds, 7 oz caster sugar, 1 lemon zest and 1 tsp vanilla extract, then add 2 eggs a little at a time until it comes together as a firm paste. You may not need all the egg.
Step 2: Dust the worktop with icing sugar from 7 oz icing sugar. Roll the paste into a log, then flatten into a strip 2 cm thick and 5 cm wide, and press the top with a patterned roller or a fork. Cut on the diagonal into diamonds 3 cm wide.
Step 3: Bake for 12–15 minutes until set and just colouring underneath; the tops should stay pale. Common mistake: overbaking. Cool on the tray.
15 minStep 4: Boil 7 oz sugar and ¾ cup water for 5 minutes, then add 2 tbsp orange blossom water and let it cool until warm.
5 minStep 5: Dip each diamond into the syrup for a few seconds, drain on a rack for 5 minutes, then roll in the rest of 7 oz icing sugar. Leave to dry for a few hours, and store in a tin for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 17 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does makrout el louz take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 30 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.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- 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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