Baci di Alassio

The Baci di Alassio are delightful little sweets that originate from Liguria, more precisely from the city of Alassio, from which they take their name. They are made with hazelnuts and chocolate and have a soft texture with an intensely indulgent flavor.

Here’s the recipe to make them:

Ingredients

• 300 g of roasted hazelnuts
• 300 g of powdered sugar
• 25 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 egg whites
• Granulated sugar as needed (to roll the kisses)
• Orange marmalade (for filling, optional)
• 200 g of dark chocolate (for the coating)

Preparation

1. Start by finely grinding the roasted hazelnuts together with 200 g of powdered sugar and the unsweetened cocoa powder, until you obtain the finest powder possible.
2. Whip the egg whites until stiff and, once they are well whipped, gently fold in the remaining powdered sugar.
3. Combine the hazelnuts with their sugar and cocoa mix into the whipped egg whites, mixing gently from the bottom up so as not to deflate the mixture.
4. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper and, using two teaspoons or a piping bag, form small amounts of the mixture into round shapes and then press them down slightly. If you like, you can also roll the edges in granulated sugar for a crunchier effect.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 160 °C (320 °F) for about 10-15 minutes or until the kisses are slightly crispy on the outside but still soft inside.
6. While the kisses are cooling, prepare the dark chocolate coating by melting it in a double boiler or microwave.
7. When the kisses are cool, stick each pair together with a bit of orange marmalade or, for a more traditional version, with melted chocolate.
8. Finally, dip the kiss into the melted dark chocolate coating and let the kisses cool on a wire rack until the chocolate has solidified.

Curiosity

The Baci di Alassio were invented at the beginning of the 20th century and since then have become a popular sweet treat due to their simplicity and lusciousness. They are so beloved that in 2013 they were granted PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status.

Have fun in the kitchen, and enjoy tasting your homemade Baci di Alassio!