Description
Easy Italian Almond Cookies, known as Amaretti, are delicate, chewy cookies made from almond flour and beaten egg whites, flavored with almond and vanilla extracts. These traditional Italian treats are rolled in sugar for a sweet, crispy exterior and baked to perfection with a slightly cracked top, making them perfect for snacking or pairing with coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, powdered sugar, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- Beat Egg Whites: In a separate clean bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, giving the cookies their airy texture.
- Fold Egg Whites: Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the almond flour mixture, taking care not to deflate the mixture to maintain lightness.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the almond extract and vanilla extract evenly, creating the classic almond flavor of the cookies.
- Form and Roll Dough Balls: Shape the dough into small, 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in granulated sugar to create a sweet, crispy coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sugar-coated balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies are golden around the edges and show a slightly cracked top.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further and set their texture.
Notes
- Ensure the egg whites are beaten to stiff peaks for the best texture.
- Be gentle folding the egg whites to keep the batter airy.
- Cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Almond extract is essential for the authentic Amaretti flavor; do not substitute.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, verify that your almond flour is certified gluten free.
