These cookies were prepared only during Lent, that is, from Carnival to Easter, a time seemed to be the only allowed sweets.It is said that the nuns of a convent in Prato and Florence have created sweet, with black letters that reflected in the shape of the words of the Gospel.
They are a tradition during Lent (Quaresima) in Florence.
100 gr white flour,
150 gr confectioners’ sugar,
20 gr dark cocoa powder
2 eggs whites room temperature,
1 orange
Preheat the oven to 180°.
Grease 3-4 baking sheets with butter.
Whisk or beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
Sift the sugar, flour, and cocoa over the egg whites.
Gently fold in the dry ingredients until completely dark and smooth.
Place the batter in a pastry bag with a round tip .
Form letters directly on the baking sheets.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until slightly puffed and hard.
Immediately remove the cookies with a metal spatula to a wire rack.
If the cookies become difficult to remove, put the baking sheet back in the oven for a minute.
Quaresimali are best eaten within a day or 2 of baking as they lose their crispness when stored too long.