Panellets

Panellets are traditional Catalan marzipan pastries that are usually served on All Saints' Day, but they are ideal for any holidays or special occasions. The succulent dough with sweet potato and almonds is so delicious and moreish. Traditionally, these almond pastries are coated with pine nuts, but you can also roll them in chopped almonds or a mixture of pine nuts and almonds instead of pine nuts. The basis for panellets is a gluten free dough made by mixing ground blanched almonds, sweet potato puree and sugar (or erythritol for a healthier alternative). The optional addition of lemon zest for a fresh, lemony flavour.

1x200 g Purple sweet potato
Sea salt
300 g Ground blanched almonds
300 g Erythritol or white sugar
2 tsp Lemon zest, optional
300 g Pine nuts
2 Egg yolks
1 tbsp Milk

Place the purple sweet potato in a saucepan of lightly salted water and bring to the boil. Cook the potato for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, wrap the sweet potato in aluminium foil and roast for 45 minutes at 180C/350F.
Remove the skin from the sweet potato while it is still warm and mash the flesh with a fork.
Mix the ground almonds, erythritol or sugar and lemon zest in a bowl. Add the sweet potato puree and knead all the ingredients into a soft dough. Leave the dough to stand for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Place the pine nuts in a shallow dish. Whisk the egg yolks with the milk in a small bowl. Using a teaspoon, divide the sweet potato mixture into 30 portions, each about 25 grams. Shape each piece into a ball with slightly moistened hands.
Roll the cookie balls in the pine nuts, then dip in the egg yolk. Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes. Leave to cool completely. The cookies will keep in an airtight container for at least 1 week.

28 comments:

Tom 5/12/25 12:54: ...Angie, this cooky monster likes this!
eileeninmd 5/12/25 14:30: The color is pretty, your cookies look tasty.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a great weekend.
DEZMOND 5/12/25 15:07: They look so pretty and so lovely that they are glufree. We do not have purple potato here, but it would work with the orange one as well. We do use boiled sweet potatoes for making savoury patties.
Judee 5/12/25 15:14: I love the color. Looks delicious and festive,
Christine 5/12/25 16:52: Lovely
Lola Martínez 5/12/25 16:56: Son buenísimos los panellets es cierto, aunque por aquí los llamamos "cordiales", otro nombre porque en esencia son iguales. Te han quedado muy vistosos y ricos.
Martha 5/12/25 17:22: Another one I've never heard of, but they look quite impressive!
Linda's Relaxing Lair 5/12/25 18:08: They look wholesome and tasty!
Brian's Home Blog 5/12/25 19:09: Those are beautiful and I'm certain they are delicious!
Carol @Comfort Spring Station 5/12/25 19:49: I've never had this, but it's intriguing.
Grace 5/12/25 23:45: ANGIE; era hora de venir, saludarte, y no dejar de sorprenderme con vuestras propuestas culinarias. Nos dejas una propuesta muy tentadora y encantadora.
Recibe mi abrazo; recordándote siempre!
My name is Erika. 6/12/25 02:14: That purple color is fabulous. Thanks for sharing another "unusual" (for me) cookie. I love learning about food from around the world.
Anonymous 6/12/25 05:06: The colour is so vibrant and inviting!
Tandy (Lavender and Lime) https://tandysinclair.com
Ben | Havocinthekitchen 6/12/25 18:28: Absolutely gorgeous colour - these look so lovely and inviting!
Lowcarb team member 6/12/25 23:54: Slightly different recipe and how nice to use a purple sweet potato.
Thank you for sharing the recipe here.

All the best Jan
peppylady (Dora) 7/12/25 00:16: I haven't seen a purple sweet potato.
Balvinder 7/12/25 04:53: Ah, they look so lovely!
roentare 7/12/25 08:33: Looks like a good treat
Cooking Julia 7/12/25 15:06: This color is incredible!!
Norma2 7/12/25 15:47: Angie, how did you make it purple?
Frank | Memorie di Angelina 7/12/25 15:54: These sound a lot like pinolate (Italian Pinoli Cookies) but that color is so striking!
Angie's Recipes 7/12/25 19:49: It's purple sweet potatoes.
foodtravelandwine 8/12/25 01:02: I love the way they look!......Abrazotes, Marcela
Granny Sue 8/12/25 03:37: Now that is different! Very pretty.
Anne in the kitchen 8/12/25 08:45: Those are gorgeous. I am saving this recipe
2pots2cook 8/12/25 11:47: Wonderful showstopper indeed!
Raymund | angsarap.net 9/12/25 21:03: The panellets are such a cool little treat and that purple sweet potato makes them pop visually, nice!
Cocoa and Lavender 10/12/25 00:16: I lvoe the use of the puyrple sweet potato for these -- so beautiful! ~ David