Ingredients
6ozsemisweet chocolate
½cupsugar
½cupwater
4largeegg yolks
¼lbalmond paste
¼cupsugar
1largeegg white
tsppure almond extract
pinch salt
12ozsemisweet chocolate
2tbsppure vegetable shortening
Preparation
In a heat-proof bowl or the top of a double boiler set over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, and allow to cool.
Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, and simmer until clear, for about 5 minutes; remove from heat.
Place egg yolks in the bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water, and whisk until warm to the touch. Transfer bowl to mixer stand fitted with the whisk attachment; with machine on medium, beat in hot sugar syrup.
Increase speed to high, and continue beating until cool and fluffy.
Reduce speed to medium, and gradually drizzle in cooled chocolate, beating until fully combined; if necessary, stop to scrape down sides of bowl. Refrigerate until firm and cold, which would take about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper; set aside
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine almond paste and sugar; beat until smooth. Add egg white, almond extract, and a pinch of salt; beat to combine.
Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a ¼-inch tip (Ateco #11). Pipe 1-inch cookies onto a prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie.
Bake until firm and golden around edges, for about 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies may be stored at this stage in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Place cookies dome-side down on a cooling rack. Place filling in a pastry bag fitted with a ¼-inch tip (Ateco #11), and pipe a peaked mound onto the flat side of each cookie. Transfer to freezer until very firm. This will be about 1 hour.
In a heat-proof bowl or the top of a double boiler set over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth. Stir in shortening. Cool to barely warm.
Remove cookies from freezer. Working quickly so that the filling doesn’t melt, use a chocolate fork to hold cookie above bowl of chocolate, and spoon melted chocolate over cookie.
Place filling-side up on cooling rack placed over a baking sheet. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Will keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
