Bienmesabe Recipe - Traditional Andalusian Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 cup blanched almonds
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (separated)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup honey (preferably orange blossom)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 vanilla bean (split and seeds scraped)
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds (toasted, for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar (for dusting)
• 2 tablespoons Pedro Ximénez sherry (optional, for depth)