Sassanelli Recipe

Name: Sassanelli
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups almonds; 8 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/4 cups sweet dessert wine, such as Marsala or Port; 15 tablespoons olive oil; 1 1/2 cups white sugar; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 lemons, zested; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Servings: persons

1 1/2 cups almonds
8 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sweet dessert wine, such as Marsala or Port
15 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
2 lemons, zested
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

1
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out almonds evenly on the baking sheet.
2
Bake almonds in the preheated oven until toasted, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
3
Place almonds in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.
4
Increase heat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5
Place flour in a large bowl and pour in 1/2 the sweet dessert wine, a little at a time. Stir and mix into a wet, sticky dough. Fold in almonds, olive oil, sugar, 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, lemon zest, vanilla extract, baking powder, and baking soda.
6
Pour remaining port wine into a saucepan and heat until warmed. Stir in cinnamon and cloves and add mixture to the dough. Knead dough for a few minutes until it holds together well but is still sticky. Shape dough into walnut-sized oval balls that resemble little rocks. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the baking sheet.
7
Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

2031

kcal

Calories

Fat

285

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 1/2 cups almonds, 8 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 cups sweet dessert wine, such as Marsala or Port, 15 tablespoons olive oil, and more.

Yes, Sassanelli falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Sassanelli

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions