Tuiles – French Almond Wafers

These thin wafer cookies, shaped like a tile, are light and take little effort to make.

It is the perfect dessert for a holiday party. 

Ingredients:

• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Grand Marnier or pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoon (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mat.
3. Whisk egg whites, sugar and Grand Marnier/vanilla in a bowl for a few seconds until foaming.
4. Add flour, butter, almonds, and orange zest, mixing well. (The batter will be liquid.)
5. Drop about 1/2 tablespoons of batter for each cookie onto the baking sheet, use the bottom of the spoon to spread and shape the cookie into rounds, leaving at least 4 inches between each cookies to allow for expansion.
6. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned.
7. While the cookies are still hot, lift them off the baking sheet and bend each cookie with your fingers (be careful, it is hot), or over a rolling pin or beverage can, so it takes the shape of a curved roof tile.
8. Allow the cookies to cool completely before storage.

Recipe adapted from Essential Pépin.

Note: Cook time varies depends on actual oven temperature. Check occasionally to avoid overcooking. You can also replace almonds with sesame seeds, to put an Asian spin to it. The Tuiles cookies are perfect enjoyed alone or pair with a bowl of ice cream and berries or Italian Panna Cotta.