Dead Man’s Beans Cookies are typical treats prepared for All Saints’ Day, as a tribute to loved ones who have passed.
The recipe is simple and belongs to the Marche tradition, but is also widespread in Lazio and Umbria, where each family has its own version.
They are made with all-purpose flour and almond flour, fragranced with lemon zest and flavored with grappa: they have a slightly cracked appearance, similar to chocolate crinkles cookies, and an irresistible crunchiness.
They also remind of wine donuts, crumbly and fragrant, perfect to serve with coffee or to give as a gift during autumn.
A simple, fragrant recipe full of history that is always on my table on November 1st.
See you soon,
Susy
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 25
- Cooking methods: Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 89.27 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 7.42 (g) of which sugars 4.34 (g)
- Proteins 2.01 (g)
- Fat 5.70 (g) of which saturated 0.74 (g)of which unsaturated 0.48 (g)
- Fibers 1.22 (g)
- Sodium 5.87 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 16 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Dead Man’s Beans Cookies
- 7 oz almond flour
- 3.5 oz sugar
- 3.5 oz all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 oz butter
- 1 lemon zest (grated)
Tools
- Bowl or
- Pastry board
Preparation of Dead Man’s Beans Cookies
1. Place the flours in a large bowl or on the pastry board along with the sugar. Create a well and, in the center, add the grated lemon zest, cinnamon, egg, and softened butter.
2. Knead with your hands until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, then add the grappa and continue working until the dough is compact and shapeable.
3. Take small portions of dough (about 0.5 oz each) and shape them with your hands into balls.
4. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and, with your fingers, shape them into a round and regular form.
5. Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, until the cookies are slightly golden on the surface.
6. Remove from oven, let them cool completely on a wire rack, and then serve.
Crumbly, fragrant, and golden: Dead Man’s Beans Cookies are perfect to enjoy with a coffee or to give as a gift for All Saints’ Day.
Storage and Useful Tips
Dead Man’s Beans Cookies can be perfectly stored for up to 7 days in a tin box or airtight container, maintaining all their fragrance. I recommend separating them with a sheet of parchment paper if you stack them, so they don’t stick together.
If you want to store them longer, you can also freeze them already baked: just let them thaw to room temperature for half an hour and they will be just like freshly baked.
You can also flavor them with a dash of amaretto liqueur instead of grappa or add a pinch of ground cloves for an even more intense aroma.
For a gluten-free version, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free universal baking mix and ensure all ingredients are certified.
