Ceci Cakes

 Ceci Cakes: a true labor of love

Ingredients:

CeCi Filling:

1 Can Chickpeas, drained and pureed

3/4 cup pulverized walnuts 

1 ounce sweetened chocolate

1 ounce unsweetened chocolate

the zest of one orange

*2 cups oil for frying*

CeCi Dough:

3 eggs

1/4 cup melted butter

2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

Method:

Melt semisweet chocolate and unsweetened chocolate in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl in the microwave. Stir until smooth. Set aside to cool.

In a small bowl, stir together the pureed garbanzo beans, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in the dates and nuts. Blend with the cooled chocolate. Chill while you make the dough.

In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until fluffy. Stir in the 1/4 cup melted shortening. Sift together the flour, sugar, and salt, and fold into the egg mixture. Add extra flour if necessary to make the dough easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 3 inch circles using a cookie cutter or a large drinking glass. Place 1 teaspoon of the chocolate filling mixture onto the center of each cookie, fold over into a half circle, and pinch to seal. 

Fry cookies in 1 1/2 inches of hot oil, turning once. Cookies should be light brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Refrigerate when cool. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.

good luck