Algerian Mchewek - My Traditional Family Recipe!

Total Time: 27 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 3 cups ground almonds (ground in food processor) or 3 cups desiccated coconut (ground in food processor)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 small eggs (approx)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla powder or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped sliced almonds (to roll onto) or 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• glace cherries, to decorate

Recipe

• 1 put ground almonds or coconut, baking powder, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl and mix well (traditionally with your hand). slowly incorporate the eggs until a firm paste has been achieved.
• 2 make small balls from the dough - slightly larger than a malteser or olive. roll each ball in the chopped flaked almonds or coconut and coat well.
• 3 place the mchewek balls on a baking sheet which has been greased and lightly floured. put 1/4 a glace cherry on the top in the centre of each mchewek.
• 4 cook in a preheated oven at 170c for approximately 12 minutes or until almonds have turned a pale golden colour.
• 5 allow to cool before placing in small bun/sweet cases (optional).