Heavenly Almond Amaretti Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Almond Amaretti Cookies Recipe: Crisp & Chewy Delights

Delicate Italian almond amaretti cookies bring a touch of sweetness to any dessert table.

These classic treats melt with an irresistible almond flavor that dances on your palate.

Originating from traditional Italian bakeries, the cookies combine simplicity with elegant taste.

Light and airy, they crumble softly with each delightful bite.

Amaretti offer a perfect balance of crisp exterior and tender interior that captures the essence of Italian pastry craft.

The recipe requires just a few basic ingredients that transform into a sublime dessert.

Serve these cookies alongside espresso for an authentic and charming experience.

What Goes Into Almond Amaretti Cookies

For Base Ingredients:
  • Almond Flour: Provides nutty foundation and gluten-free texture, choose finely ground for smooth cookie consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp exterior, select pure white sugar for clean flavor.
For Binding Ingredients:
  • Egg Whites: Creates light, airy structure and helps cookies hold shape, use fresh room-temperature eggs for best volume.
  • Almond Extract: Intensifies deep nutty flavor, look for pure extract without artificial additives.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall aromatic complexity, optional but recommended for rounded taste profile.
For Finishing Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates traditional delicate coating, provides elegant visual appearance and subtle additional sweetness.

Tools You’ll Need For Almond Amaretti Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and creating your cookie dough.
  • Hand mixer: Essential for beating egg whites to soft, fluffy peaks.
  • Baking sheet: Key for baking cookies evenly and preventing sticking.
  • Parchment paper: Ensures cookies don't stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Cookie scoop or hands: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized cookie balls.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
  • Whisk: Great for blending almond flour and sugar smoothly.

How To Make Almond Amaretti Cookies

  • Oven Prepping

Warm up the kitchen with a cozy oven temperature that’ll make these cookies shine. Grab a baking sheet and line it with a comfy parchment paper blanket.

  • Flour Power

Grab your almond flour and sugar, mixing them together until they become best friends in a smooth, even blend.

  • Egg White Magic

Whip those egg whites into a dreamy, cloud-like texture with soft, billowy peaks that’ll make your cookies light and airy.

  • Cookie Fusion

Gently fold the fluffy egg whites into the almond mixture, adding a splash of almond extract for that irresistible nutty flavor. Stir until everything comes together in a delightful, sticky embrace.

  • Shaping Delights

Roll the dough into adorable little balls that’ll fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. Give them a playful dust of powdered sugar for that classic, snow-kissed look.

  • Baking Moment

Pop those beauties into the oven and watch them transform. They’re done when they turn a gorgeous golden color with cute little cracks dancing across the top.

  • Cooling Celebration

Let the cookies rest and cool down, giving them time to settle into their crispy-outside, chewy-inside personality. Transfer them to a wire rack and get ready to enjoy a true taste of sweet bliss.

Tips To Perfect Almond Amaretti Cookies

  • Texture Perfection: Whip egg whites to soft peaks for light, airy cookies that melt in your mouth. Avoid overmixing to maintain the delicate texture and prevent deflating the meringue.
  • Gluten-Free Delight: These naturally gluten-free cookies are perfect for those with wheat sensitivities. Use certified gluten-free almond flour to ensure complete allergen safety.
  • Flavor Boost: Experiment with different extracts like orange blossom water or rose water for a unique twist. A pinch of sea salt can enhance the almond's natural sweetness and add depth to the flavor profile.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Replace egg whites with aquafaba (chickpea liquid) for a plant-based version. Whip the aquafaba until it forms stiff peaks and proceed with the original recipe method. Consider using coconut sugar as an alternative sweetener for added complexity.
  • Storage Savvy: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer preservation, freeze the baked cookies between layers of parchment paper for up to one month. Bring to room temperature before serving to restore their delicate texture.

How To Serve Almond Amaretti Cookies

  • Cookie Companion Pairings: Serve these delicate almond amaretti alongside a steaming espresso or cappuccino for an authentic Italian coffee break experience.
  • Dessert Enhancer: Crumble these crisp cookies over vanilla gelato or fresh berries to add a delightful nutty crunch and elegant texture to your sweet treat.
  • Gift-Ready Presentation: Package the cooled cookies in a beautiful vintage tin or clear cellophane bag tied with a rustic ribbon for a charming homemade gift that looks as delicious as it tastes.
  • Festive Flavor Boost: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled amaretti or dust them with additional powdered sugar to elevate their visual appeal and add extra indulgence.

Storage And Planning For Almond Amaretti Cookies

  • Freezing Finesse: Wrap individual Almond Amaretti Cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. These delightful treats will stay fresh for up to 3 months, ready to enjoy whenever a sweet craving strikes.
  • Refrigeration Rescue: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container with a sheet of parchment paper between layers. They'll maintain their delicate texture for 5-7 days in the refrigerator, perfect for quick snacking.
  • Room Temperature Magic: Keep cookies in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. At room temperature, these almond delights will remain crisp and delicious for 4-5 days, making them an ideal make-ahead treat.
  • Moisture Management: Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help maintain the cookies' softness and prevent them from becoming too dry. Replace the bread every couple of days to ensure optimal freshness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 85 kcal

Servings: 23

Print
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Heavenly Almond Amaretti Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Almond Amaretti Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 23 1x

Description

Homemade almond amaretti cookies blend Italian culinary tradition with delicate sweetness. Crisp exterior and chewy center make these delightful treats perfect for coffee companions or elegant dessert endings you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 200 g (2 cups) almond flour
  • 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg whites
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 170C (340F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an ideal baking environment.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk almond flour and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended, ensuring a smooth, uniform mixture.
  3. Egg White Transformation: Whip egg whites using a hand mixer until soft, cloud-like peaks form, creating a light and airy foundation.
  4. Dough Composition: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the whipped egg whites, introducing almond and vanilla extracts. Mix until a slightly tacky, cohesive dough develops.
  5. Cookie Formation: Shape the dough into uniform one-inch spheres using your palms or a cookie scoop. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing.
  6. Baking Process: Bake for 15-18 minutes, monitoring until cookies achieve a gentle golden color with characteristic surface cracks. The centers should remain tender and slightly soft.
  7. Cooling Protocol: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, developing their signature crisp exterior.

Notes

  • Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use high-quality almond flour and fresh egg whites for the most delicate, flavorful amaretti cookies that melt in your mouth.
  • Control Egg White Whipping: Beat egg whites until they form soft peaks but not too stiff, maintaining a delicate, cloud-like texture that ensures light, airy cookies.
  • Handle Dough Gently: Fold ingredients carefully to preserve the airiness, preventing dense or tough cookies by using a gentle, light folding technique.
  • Watch Baking Time Closely: Monitor cookies during the 15-18 minute baking window, looking for subtle golden edges and characteristic surface cracks to achieve the perfect texture between crisp and tender.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 23
  • Calories: 85
  • Sugar: 6.25 g
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Fat: 4.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10.5 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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