Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

Ingredients:

• 200 g almond paste
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp fine salt
• Protein of 2 large eggs
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup almond needles, for decoration
• 1/4 cup coarse white sugar, for garnish

Preparation:

1. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Break the almond paste into small pieces and place it in the bowl of a food processor along with the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Process until smooth. Add the egg whites and vanilla and process until smooth, about 30 seconds.
3. Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop the dough onto the baking sheet, 1 tablespoon at a time, spacing it 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Top each cookie with a few slivered almonds and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
4. Bake until the cookies are puffed and slightly cracked but still soft in the center, 13 to 14 minutes; rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking. Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheets. Store in an airtight container.