Sweet Italian Amaretti Cookies Recipe: Crunchy Almond Bliss

Sweet, delicate amaretti cookies bring a touch of Italian elegance to your dessert table with their almond-rich charm.

These delightful morsels melt in your mouth, creating a symphony of nutty sweetness.

Light and airy, amaretti cookies carry the essence of traditional Italian bakeries right into your kitchen.

Each bite delivers a crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, chewy center bursting with intense almond flavor.

Crafted with simple ingredients like almond flour, sugar, and egg whites, these cookies embody simplicity and sophistication.

You’ll fall in love with their delicate powdered sugar coating and irresistible texture.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a batch of pure Italian bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 149 kcal

Servings: 22

Amaretti Cookies: What You’ll Need

• Almond Flour: Provides rich nutty flavor and creates soft, delicate cookie texture with gluten-free benefits.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cookies and helps create crisp exterior with smooth crystalline structure.

• Egg Whites: Creates light, airy structure and helps bind ingredients together with protein-rich composition.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Adds deep aromatic complexity and enhances traditional Italian cookie flavor profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Provides sweet coating, creates beautiful crackled surface, and adds elegant visual appeal to traditional amaretti cookies.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity in delicate cookie preparation.

Equipment Checklist for Classic Amaretti Cookies

• Electric Mixer: Essential for beating egg whites to stiff peaks with precision and ease.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for separating ingredients and combining mixtures smoothly.
• Spatula: Perfect for gently folding ingredients without deflating the egg whites.
• Baking Sheet: Important for evenly baking and spacing out the amaretti cookies.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Sifter: Critical for removing lumps from almond flour and sugar, creating a smooth texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.

How to Make Chewy and Sweet Amaretti Cookies

• Sugar Cloud Preparation

Create a soft, fluffy base using whipped egg whites and a delicate touch. Carefully separate egg whites and add a gentle pinch of salt before transforming them into a cloud-like texture with an electric mixer.

• Flour Magic

Combine almond flour with sweet granulated sugar, sifting together to create a smooth, fine mixture that will give the cookies their signature delicate crunch.

• Flavor Fusion

Gently fold the almond flour mixture into the egg white clouds, introducing vanilla and almond extracts for a rich, aromatic experience. Mix with a light hand to maintain the airy texture.

• Sugar Coating Elegance

Roll each cookie portion in granulated sugar, then dust with powdered sugar to create a delightful, snowy exterior that adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

• Baking Transformation

Place the sugar-coated morsels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press each cookie to create a slightly flattened shape. Bake in a warm oven until the edges turn a soft golden hue, filling the kitchen with an irresistible almond fragrance.

• Cooling and Enjoyment

Allow the cookies to rest and cool completely, transforming from hot, delicate treats to crisp, melt-in-your-mouth delights ready to be savored with a cup of espresso or shared with loved ones.

Amaretti Cookie Variations to Try

• Expert Baking Tips
• Adjust baking time for softer or crispier cookies – remove at 20 minutes for chewy centers or bake full 25 minutes for extra crunch.
• Enhance almond extract with orange zest or swap with amaretto liqueur for deeper, more complex Mediterranean-inspired taste profiles.
• Keep cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Already naturally gluten-free, these cookies work perfectly for guests with wheat sensitivities without compromising delicious traditional flavor.
• Dust finished cookies with extra powdered sugar, drizzle with dark chocolate, or serve alongside espresso for elegant Italian-style dessert experience.

Presenting Amaretti Cookies Like a Pro

• Pair with Creamy Coffee: Serve these delicate amaretti cookies alongside a rich espresso or cappuccino for a classic Italian dessert experience.
• Dress Up with Fresh Berries: Garnish the cookies with a small handful of fresh raspberries or strawberries to add a bright, fruity contrast to the almond sweetness.
• Create a Dessert Plate: Arrange the amaretti cookies on a beautiful platter with other small treats like chocolate truffles or mini biscotti for an elegant after-dinner display.
• Crumble Over Gelato: Crush these crispy cookies and sprinkle them over vanilla or almond gelato for a delightful textural and flavor enhancement.

Storage Instructions for Homemade Amaretti

• Store Smartly: Keep amaretti cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and crispness.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Carefully stack cookies between parchment paper layers in a freezer-safe container, where they'll maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Prevent Moisture Damage: Always store cookies in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain their delicate texture and prevent softening.
• Refresh Stale Cookies: Briefly warm cookies in a low-temperature oven (250°F) for 3-5 minutes to restore their crisp exterior and delightful crunch.

Authentic Amaretti Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Homemade amaretti cookies combine almond essence with delicate Italian tradition. Sweet crumbly treats offer rich marzipan-like flavor that delights palates with simple elegance.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 egg whites
• 4 ½–5 cups (540–600 g) almond flour
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
• 1–2 tsp (5–10 ml) almond extract
• 1 pinch salt
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 325°F (160°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Egg White Transformation: Separate egg whites into a clean bowl, adding a pinch of salt. Whip using an electric mixer until stiff, glossy peaks form.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift almond flour and granulated sugar together in a separate bowl, eliminating any potential lumps.
4. Batter Construction: Gradually fold almond flour mixture into whipped egg whites, maintaining an airy texture. Swiftly incorporate vanilla and almond extracts, ensuring even flavor distribution.
5. Cookie Shaping: Create two shallow sugar stations – one with granulated sugar, another with powdered sugar. Scoop dough, roll in granulated sugar, form into uniform balls, then generously coat with powdered sugar.
6. Baking Process: Arrange sugar-coated cookies on prepared baking sheet with slight spacing. Gently flatten each cookie with fingertips.
7. Final Baking: Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating sheet midway to achieve uniform golden coloration. Remove when cookies display a light golden, crackled surface and cool completely on the baking sheet.

Notes

• Egg White Mastery: Achieve perfectly whipped egg whites by ensuring your bowl is completely clean and dry, as any trace of fat can prevent proper volume.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies in granulated sugar first for a crisp exterior, then dust with powdered sugar to create the classic crackled amaretti appearance.
• Temperature Precision: Maintain a consistent 325°F to prevent burning while achieving the signature golden, crisp edges of authentic amaretti cookies.
• Almond Flavor Boost: Use high-quality almond extract and fresh almond flour to enhance the intense, traditional nutty flavor characteristic of these Italian delicacies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 149
• Sugar: 16.5 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg