These Amaretti Cookies are an exquisite Italian treat ideal for the festive season. With a slightly crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior, these almond cookies are delightful.
Recipe Details
After a lot of trial and error, I am thrilled with the outcome of this Amaretti cookie recipe. While amaretti cookies are traditionally made with amaretto (almond liqueur), I personally favor almond extract for its accessibility. I am confident that you’ll enjoy these wonderful cookies as much as my family does.
- TASTE: These almond cookies are not only delicious but also gluten-free. They boast a sweet, nutty flavor that is simply delightful.
- TEXTURE: Amaretti cookies offer a distinctive texture, combining a slightly crunchy outside with a soft and chewy core.
- TIME: The preparation of this recipe takes just 40 minutes.
- EASE: With only a few basic ingredients, this straightforward cookie recipe is one you can easily recreate.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Almond flour- This gluten-free flour serves as the main base for the cookie dough, providing a rich texture and a nutty essence.
- Eggs- The recipe incorporates a significant amount of egg whites, acting both as a binder and a leavening agent in the cookies.
- Almond extract- This ingredient imparts a deeper almond flavor to the amaretti cookies.
- Granulated sugar- Used primarily to sweeten the cookies both internally and on the surface.
- Powdered sugar- This is utilized to coat the cookies before baking for a sweet outer layer.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Make these cookies low carb/keto- Simply replace the sugar with a sugar-free alternative, such as monk fruit, erythritol, or my preferred mix of monk fruit and allulose.
- Create your own almond flour- This can be easily done by finely grinding blanched and dried almonds and then sifting for a fine texture.
- Swap in amaretto liqueur- If you prefer, you can use amaretto liqueur in place of almond extract for flavoring your cookies.
- Add lemon zest- For a hint of citrus, incorporating lemon zest can enhance the flavor profile of these cookies.
How to Make Amaretti Cookies
- Beat the egg whites. Separate the egg whites into a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt and beat them using an electric mixer until they reach stiff peaks.
- Sift together flour and sugar. Combine almond flour and sugar through sifting.
- Mix with eggs and extracts. Incorporate one-third of the almond-sugar mixture by folding it in with a spatula. Next, add the vanilla and almond extracts. Fold in the second third of the almond mixture, sift in the final third, and incorporate it again.
- Scoop and roll the dough. Utilize a medium-sized cookie scoop to form mounds of dough, then transfer them to a dish filled with granulated sugar. Roll each scoop in the sugar before shaping it into a ball with your hands.
Pro Tip: Introduce the dry ingredients gradually and fold them in carefully to preserve the air incorporated into the egg whites.
- Coat in powdered sugar and bake. Thoroughly coat each dough ball in powdered sugar. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and gently flatten each cookie using your palm. Bake them for 25 minutes at 325°F.
Recipe Tips
- Avoid flour substitutions: Using all-purpose flour instead of almond flour is not recommended, as it will significantly alter the flavor and texture of these cookies.
- Whip eggs to stiff peaks: This technique is crucial to ensure the cookies are properly aerated, preventing them from becoming flat and spreading too much.
- If the dough is overly sticky: If your dough becomes too sticky due to larger eggs or coarser flour, incorporate equal parts almond flour and sugar until it reaches a rollable consistency.
- Utilize a cookie scoop: A medium cookie scoop ensures uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
FAQs
Amaretti cookies are Italian gluten-free confections made with egg whites, sugar, almond flour, and almond extract. They come in two varieties: the soft version, known as amaretti morbidi, which are chewy, and the hard variety that is baked longer for a crunchier texture.
Yes, amaretti cookies are gluten free as they are made using almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, resulting in no gluten content.
Serving Suggestions
These delightful Amaretti Cookies can complement a variety of desserts. They pair wonderfully with cakes, other cookies, and an assortment of sweet treats or beverages.
- Cookies: Include them in a dessert platter alongside Chewy Nutella Cookies, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies (VIDEO), and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.
- Cakes: Serve these cookies alongside a slice of New York Style Cheesecake, Gingerbread Cake, Tiramisu Cake (VIDEO), or Chocolate Honey Cake (Spartak Cake).
- Sweet treats: Enjoy with Candied Pecans, Chocolate Pot De Creme, Red Velvet Cake Pops (VIDEO), or Pecan Tassies.
- Beverages: Accompany with coffee, tea, or Hot Chocolate. You could also prepare a homemade Iced Caramel Macchiato or Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Preparing ahead: You can freeze Amaretti cookies before baking. Simply prepare the cookies until they are ready for the oven, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze for one hour. Transfer to a ziplock bag afterward. Thaw for 30-60 minutes and dust with powdered sugar before baking as directed.
Storage: These cookies can be stored at room temperature for about a week if kept in an airtight container.
Freezing: Cool cookies can be frozen for an hour on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer ziplock bag. They can be stored this way for approximately 4-6 months.
More Delicious Cookies!
Watch… Check out this VIDEO on how to create them!
Complete Recipe Instructions
Amaretti Cookies
A chewy Italian cookie created from basic ingredients that you likely already possess in your kitchen.
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Number of Servings: 32 cookies
Caloric Content: 134kcal
Directions
Begin by separating 5 egg whites into a bowl, then include a pinch of salt.
With an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
Add approximately one-third of the almond flour mixture to the beaten egg whites and gently fold it in with a spatula.
Incorporate the second third of the almond flour mixture into the egg whites and carefully fold it in once more.
Sift in the final third of the almond flour mixture and fold it in one last time, ensuring that the cookie dough reaches a thick, paste-like consistency.
- Utilize a medium-sized cookie scoop to form mounds of the cookie dough, placing them into a dish of granulated sugar. Coat the dough in sugar, then roll it between your hands to shape it into a ball.140g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 1g
### Steps to Make Amaretti Cookies
1. Sift together the flour and sugar in portions, integrating almond and vanilla extracts as you go.
2. Once mixed, scoop the dough and roll it in sugar to coat.
3. Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently press down on each one, either with your palm or the bottom of a flat cup.
4. Preheat your oven to 325°F and bake the cookies for 20 to 25 minutes.### Important Notes
– **Freezing Option**: You can freeze the cookies before baking. Prepare the cookies up to the point they are ready to go into the oven, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze for one hour. After that, transfer them to a Ziplock bag and thaw for 30 to 60 minutes prior to dusting with powdered sugar and baking as instructed.
– **No Flour Substitutions**: Refrain from using all-purpose flour instead of almond flour, as this will negatively impact both the texture and flavor of the cookies.
– **Egg Preparation**: Ensure to beat the eggs until they reach stiff peaks, which will help the cookies stay airy and not spread during baking.
– **Adjusting Dough Consistency**: If your dough is too sticky, which can occur with larger eggs or coarser flour, add equal parts almond flour and sugar until it becomes manageable for rolling.### Nutrition Information
– **Calories**: 134 kcal
– **Carbohydrates**: 14 g
– **Protein**: 4 g
– **Fat**: 7 g
– **Fiber**: 1 g3g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 7mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 0.6mg
