Some rumours claim that Queen Elizabethparticularly appreciated the "baci Gallina" cookies, baked and sold by the Gallina pastry shop in Alexandria. This is precisely why, it is said,every year, during the Christmas season, she decided to order large quantities.
Whether the news is true or false, we know for sure that these cookies are a real treat for the palate.
The Gallina pastry shop is a historic venue in Alexandria, which has been handing down the secret of these baci di dama (lady's kisses) from father to son for generations. It started baking in 1935, but has been in its present venue only since 1968.
Gallina kisses are not just any lady's kisses. The dough, in addition to being made by blending together sugar, flour, butter and hazelnuts - strictly of the "tonda delle Langhe" quality - involves theaddition of cocoa, which is then what makes the Gallina Kisses darker than the traditional cookies.
Appearance also differentiates the Gallina cookies from other baci di dama: their shape is more elongated and flattened rather than tending toward round.
