Panellets (Catalan Almond and Pine Nut Sweets)
In short: Small marzipan-like almond sweets rolled in pine nuts and baked until golden, the traditional treat for All Saints' Day in Catalonia. It takes about 52 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 52 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 255 kcal
Panellets are small almond sweets eaten in Catalonia around All Saints' Day on 1 November, together with roasted chestnuts and sweet wine. The dough is ground almonds, sugar and egg white, shaped into balls and rolled in pine nuts, then baked briefly until the tops turn golden. They are soft in the middle with a toasted crust. Other coatings include coconut, cocoa and sliced almonds.
Instructions
- Mix the ground almonds, powdered sugar and salt in a bowl. Whisk one egg white lightly, add it with the lemon juice and knead to a firm, smooth paste. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a tray with baking paper. Whisk the second egg white lightly in a shallow bowl and spread the pine nuts on a plate.
- Roll the dough into 24 balls, each about 20 g. Roll each ball lightly in the egg white, then in pine nuts, pressing the nuts on so they stick.
- Place the balls on the tray 3 cm (1 in) apart. Brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg yolk.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the pine nuts and tops are golden. Watch closely, since the sugar browns fast.
- Cool on the tray for 10 minutes, then move to a rack. Serve at room temperature.
Tips
- If the dough is sticky, chill it a little longer or work in a spoonful of ground almonds. If it cracks, knead in a few drops of water.
- Roll some balls in toasted flaked almonds, shredded coconut or cocoa powder instead of pine nuts for a mixed plate. Cocoa and coconut ones do not need the yolk wash.
Questions and answers
How long do panellets keep?
Store them in an airtight tin for up to 5 days. They soften slightly inside over time, which many people prefer.
Are panellets gluten-free?
Yes, as written. They contain no flour. Check that the ground almonds and powdered sugar are labeled gluten-free if you are coeliac.
Why are panellets eaten on All Saints' Day?
They are part of the Catalan tradition of La Castanyada, held around 1 November, when families eat panellets, roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes, and drink sweet wine.
How long does it take to make Panellets (Catalan Almond and Pine Nut Sweets)?
About 52 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Panellets (Catalan Almond and Pine Nut Sweets)?
About 255 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 255 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 30 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
