| 1 | Author"s note: these cakes are traditionally served at christmas. |
| 2 | This recipe comes from my neighbor, andonia. |
| 3 | I have a distinct memory of her beating the oil and sugar into the flour until it dissolved using her middle finger and forefinger as a beater - though a spoon will do. |
| 4 | Start by making the syrup. |
| 5 | Put the honey, sugar, cinnamon, clove, and lemon zest in a saucepan and add the water. |
| 6 | Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes. |
| 7 | Add the lemon juice, then chill. |
| 8 | To blanch the almonds, plunge them into boiling water for 1-2 minutes, until you see signs of their skins loosening. |
| 9 | Then drain and slip or pop them from their skins onto a baking sheet. |
| 10 | Toast them in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 10 minutes - just until they begin to color. |
| 11 | Cool, then chop them very, very finely - if you do this in a food processor, make sure that the pulses are short, or the nuts could turn oily. |
| 12 | Mix the ground almonds with the sugar and cinnamon and reserve. |
| 13 | Sift the flour, baking soda and salt together. |
| 14 | Put the olive oil and sugar in a large bowl and beat together - with your fingers like andonia - or with a wooden spoon. |
| 15 | Beat in the cognac, the orange zest, spices, and juice from 2 oranges (about ?cup). |
| 16 | Then beat in the flour, a few spoonfuls at a time, until you have a malleable dough, adding more flour if it is too soft, and more orange juice if it is too stiff. |
| 17 | Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until very smooth. |
| 18 | Pinch off pieces of dough of about 2 tablespons and form into flattened oval or lozenge shapes. |
| 19 | Place them on an oiled or non-stick baking sheet. |
| 20 | Bake in an oven preheated to 400-425°F for about 20 minutes, until brown. |
| 21 | When they are cool enough to handle, dip them in the bowl of syrup for about 1 minute. |
| 22 | Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a tray to cool. |
| 23 | Sprinkle with the chopped almond mixture. |
