Panellets: A Taste of Tradition in Spanish Desserts
Panellets are a traditional Catalan dessert typically made during All Saints' Day (La Castanyada) in Catalonia, Spain. These small, round sweets are made from a mixture of ground almonds, sugar, and sometimes potato or sweet potato. They are often coated with pine nuts and come in various flavors. Here's a basic recipe for traditional almond panellets:
Ingredients
For the almond mixture:
- 2 cups Ground almonds (250g)
- 1 cup Granulated sugar (200g)
- 2 Large egg yolks
- 1 Lemon zest (optional)
For coating:
- Pine nuts
- Granulated sugar
- A few whole almonds (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds and granulated sugar. If you want to add a hint of lemon flavor, you can also mix in the lemon zest at this stage.
- Add the egg yolks to the almond and sugar mixture. Mix well until you have a smooth, thick dough. You can use your hands to knead it together.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Now, it's time to shape the panellets. Traditionally, they are small, round, and bite-sized. You can take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls, about the size of a walnut.
- Roll each ball in granulated sugar, covering it completely.
- Place a small amount of pine nuts on a plate and gently press the sugared ball of dough into the pine nuts. The pine nuts should stick to the dough.
- You can also use whole almonds to decorate some of the panellets. Press a whole almond onto the top of some of the panellets.
- Place the finished panellets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
- Bake the panellets in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
- Once the panellets are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet.
- Once they have cooled, you can enjoy these delicious Catalan treats. They are best when freshly made but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
Notes
These panellets can be customized by adding different flavors, such as cocoa powder, vanilla, or even coffee. Feel free to get creative with your variations, and enjoy this sweet Catalan tradition!