Gino's festive amaretti biscuits

Gino’s recipe couldn’t be simpler - just four ingredients and less than 30 minutes will produce the sweetest Italian biscuits, perfect as a gift, with coffee or used as part of a simple pudding.

Ingredients

4 eggs, whites only (160g/6oz)340g/12oz caster sugar340g/12oz ground almonds30ml/1fl oz amaretto liquorButter for greasing

Method

• Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3

• In a large bowl beat the egg whites until firm

• Mix the sugar and the almonds gently into it

• Add the amaretto liquor and fold in gently until you have a smooth paste

• Place some baking paper on a baking tray and lightly brush with butter

• Using a teaspoon place small heaps of the mixture approximately 2cm/¾in apart, as they will expand whilst cooking

• Bake for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool slightly then serve or store in an air-tight container.

• For the affogato take a spoonful of good quality vanilla ice cream and place it into a bowl, pour over an espresso coffee and serve with the amaretti biscuits