How to Make Traditional Provençal Calissons with Almond Confection

Simple Summary

Calissons are delightful almond-shaped French confections, combining the sweetness of candied fruit with the richness of ground almonds, all topped with a smooth royal icing.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 42 minutes (including chilling and setting time)
• Servings: 24 calissons
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

• 250g ground almonds
• 250g powdered sugar
• 100g candied melon, finely chopped
• 50g candied orange peel, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp orange blossom water
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp almond extract

For the royal icing:

• 200g powdered sugar
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the ground almonds and powdered sugar.

2. Add the finely chopped candied melon and orange peel to the almond mixture.

3. Stir in the orange blossom water, egg white, and almond extract. Mix until a smooth paste forms.

4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up the mixture.

5. Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

6. Roll out the chilled mixture between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1 cm thickness.

7. Using an almond-shaped cookie cutter or a knife, cut the dough into almond shapes.

8. Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. The calissons should remain pale.

9. While the calissons cool, prepare the royal icing by whisking together powdered sugar, egg white, and lemon juice until smooth.

10. Once the calissons are completely cool, spread a thin layer of royal icing on top of each one.

11. Allow the icing to set for about 2 hours before serving or storing.

Chef's Notes

• For best results, use high-quality candied fruit and fresh ground almonds.
• If candied melon is unavailable, substitute with additional candied orange peel or other candied fruits like apricot.
• Store calissons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• To achieve the traditional diamond shape, use a rhombus-shaped cutter or carefully cut with a sharp knife.

Nutritional Info

Per serving (1 calisson): Approximately 120 calories. Calissons are a good source of healthy fats from almonds and provide a small amount of protein. They are rich in vitamin E and magnesium due to the almond content.

Serving Suggestions

Serve calissons as part of a dessert platter with other French pastries like macarons and madeleines. They pair wonderfully with a glass of sweet Muscat wine or a cup of lavender tea for an authentic Provençal experience. Present on a decorative plate or in small paper cups for an elegant touch at special occasions or holiday gatherings.