Step 1

Preheat oven to 170°C/150°C fan forced. Line 2 x baking trays with baking paper.

Step 2

Beat egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon whisk to firm peaks. Add the almond meal, sugar and almond essence and beat to for a thick paste.

Step 3

Spread some caster sugar on a plate and spread icing sugar on a second plate.

Step 4

Take heaped teaspoons of mixture and roll into balls. Then roll each in caster sugar, then icing sugar and place on prepared trays. Flatten slightly with fingertips.

Step 5

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the tops are cracked and the bottoms are just golden. Cool on the trays before transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.