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Bitter almond cookies, Acıbadem kurabiyesi

Bitter almond cookies, Acıbadem kurabiyesi

I absolutely adore our crispy outside, chewy inside acıbadem kurabiyesi. Its origins dates back to 19th century Ottoman Palace kitchens and the traditional recipe includes a small amount of bitter almonds, hence give its name. Our world famous almonds from Datça region in southwest corner of Turkey is also traditionally used in these cookies. It has a macaron like chewy texture; crispy outside and softer inside. Living abroad, it is one of those tastes I miss so much from home and I think many Turks living abroad would feel the same. Good news is that, you can make these delicious almond cookies at home successfully, following a few curial steps carefully with this recipe.  They are absolutely delightful with Turkish coffee or tea aside.

I hope you enjoy making acıbadem kurabiyesi with my recipe, Afiyet Olsun,

Ozlem

5.0 from 3 reviews
Bitter almond cookies, Acıbadem kurabiyesi
 
I absolutely adore our crispy outside, chewy inside acıbadem kurabiyesi. Its origins dates back to 19th century Ottoman Palace kitchens and the traditional recipe includes a small amount of bitter almonds, hence give its name. Our world famous almonds from Datça region in southwest corner of Turkey is also traditionally used in these cookies. It has a macaron like chewy texture; crispy outside and softer inside. Living abroad, it is one of those tastes I miss so much from home and I think many Turks living abroad would feel the same. Good news is that, you can make these delicious almond cookies at home successfully, following a few curial steps carefully with this recipe. They are absolutely delightful with Turkish coffee or tea aside.
Author:
Recipe type: Almond cookies
Cuisine: Turkish cuisine
Serves: Makes 10 cookies
Ingredients
  • 3 medium free range egg whites (100g/3 ½ oz)
  • 200g/7oz sugar
  • 180g/6.3oz ground almonds
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • ½ tsp lemon juice
  • 10 unsalted almonds
Instructions
  1. Pour in hot water on a large pan until half way and sit a heat proof glass mixing bowl over the pan. Make sure the bowl is not touching the hot water. Bring to a gentle simmer and stir in the egg whites, sugar, pinch of salt and lemon juice to the bowl. Stir continuously to combine all the ingredients over medium heat until the sugar is melted completely and all mixed well. The mixture should be just warm enough to touch and with a gooey texture. Turn the heat off and place the bowl on a clean, cool surface.
  2. Preheat fan oven to 140C/160C/325F.
  3. Stir in the ground almonds to the bowl and combine well to turn to a very soft, sticky dough texture. Transfer the cookie mixture on another clean, wide mixing bowl; stir occasionally and let it completely cool. Once cool, spoon the mixture into a piping bag. Have a large baking tray and spread a little of the remaining cookie mixture from the bowl at the corners of the tray and place baking paper on, press gently to stick. Pipe the cookie mixture as 6cm in diameter circles over the baking paper, leaving 3cm between each cookie, as they will expand during baking. Place an almond in the middle of each cookie and bake in the preheated oven for 27-28 minutes, until the cookies look cracked and crispy outside and soft to touch inside (It is important not to overbake and keep inside soft, as this moisture will help the cookies stick together, as we traditionally do, and will give the chewy texture).
  4. Place the cookie tray on a metal rack to cool for 5 minutes. If they are sticking to the baking paper, gently turn the baking paper upside down on the tray and wipe the back of the cookies over the baking paper with damp towel, this will help cookies to peel off from the paper easily. Turn the baking paper back again and place the acıbadem kurabiyesi on a serving plate. If you like, gently press and stick 2 soft bottoms of the cookies to form one big cookie, as we traditionally do. They are best eaten on the day, though they keep well for 2-3 days, wrapped with cling film individually and stored in a cool place.
 

Ozlem’s Turkish Table cookery book, as festive gifts

The festive season is upon us; if you like to gift a signed copy of Ozlem’s Turkish Table cookery book, you can order a copy here, it is delivered worldwide. It has over 90 authentic, delicious, easy to make Turkish recipes, along with stunning photography and stories from my homeland (please kindly note that Almond cookies,acıbadem kurabiyesi is not included at this book). You can also order this hand embroidered apron here, for a foodie gift. Thank you for your kind support and spreading the joy of wholesome, delicious Turkish cuisine.

9 Responses to Bitter almond cookies, Acıbadem kurabiyesi

  1. Ann Tilley October 23, 2022 at 6:00 am #

    Good Morning Ozlem what is the price of your aprons please ? love your book made lots of these

    recipes and so do my family and friends .We also frequent our local Turkish Resturant

    love seeing you at YAKMOS HOTEL near FETHIYE had lovely times there with you

    I shall certainly give these a try they look so inviting

    • Ozlem Warren October 24, 2022 at 7:41 am #

      Merhaba dear Ann,

      Thank you so much for your kind note; I remember meeting you at the beautiful Yakamoz Hotel, Fethiye at one of my cookery events, I am delighted that you are enjoying my book. The apron is hand embroidered at it is 15 GBP, you can order at this link if you like https://www.gbpublishing.co.uk/ozlemsturkishtable

      Thank you so much, cok teseekkur ederim, for all your support, Afiyet Olsun and I hope we meet again in Fwthiye, Ozlem

      • Rania Fadel October 27, 2022 at 9:16 am #

        Thank you so much . I was looking for this recipe for years ❤

        • Ozlem Warren October 28, 2022 at 11:17 am #

          Merhaba Rania, you are most welcome – they are such delicious cookies, just made a new batch : ) Hope you enjoy making them, Afiyet Olsun, Ozlem

  2. how to move kitchen cabinets March 21, 2023 at 4:19 pm #

    I’ve been looking for a good recipe like this that doesn’t come out runny, but…. My sauce came out super thick, like a Greek yogurt consistency, so it didn’t run down into the potatoes when I poured it on…..is it going to run down as it cooks do you think?

    • Ozlem Warren March 22, 2023 at 9:31 am #

      Hi,
      Thank you for your note though I don’t think it is applicable to this recipe ? Please let me know if you have any quastions for this almond cookies, thank you, Ozlem

  3. Cicka October 10, 2023 at 9:30 am #

    Sve Vam je fantastično , ne znam šta bih pre napravila , u zdravlje , pozdrav iz Beograda.

  4. Sheri November 29, 2023 at 2:03 pm #

    My children decided that Saint Nicholas needs a variety of cookies, instead of our usual chocolate chip. So starting this year, he will get a cookie from a different country every year. We are starting with his homeland, and we are excited to try these out!

    • Ozlem Warren November 29, 2023 at 3:32 pm #

      Merhaba Sheri,

      My fave cookies! I love the chewy, delicious texture of these almond cookies, I hope you enjoy it – Afiyet olsun!
      Ozlem

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