Crispy Chocolate Amaretti Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Chocolate Amaretti Cookies Recipe: Sweet Bliss

Rich, crumbly, and irresistibly nutty, these chocolate amaretti cookies blend Italian tradition with decadent chocolate flavor.

amaretti cookies, beloved for their delicate almond essence, take an indulgent turn with a deep cocoa twist.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crisp exterior and soft, melt-in-your-mouth center.

The recipe captures the elegant simplicity of classic Italian baking with a luxurious chocolate upgrade.

Almond flour and cocoa powder create a sophisticated base that celebrates pure, intense flavors.

Dark chocolate lovers will adore these delightful treats that strike a harmonious chord between sweetness and depth.

Whip up a batch and savor a moment of pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 139 kcal

Servings: 13

Chocolate Amaretti Cookies Ingredient List

For Dry Ingredients:
  • Almond Flour: Provides nutty foundation and gluten-free base for cookies, choose finely ground for smooth texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie caramelization, opt for fine granulated for even distribution.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor, select high-quality dark cocoa for intense taste.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for balanced seasoning.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Egg Whites: Creates light, airy structure and helps bind ingredients, select fresh, room temperature eggs.
  • Lemon Juice: Stabilizes egg whites and adds subtle brightness, fresh juice works best.
  • Almond Extract: Intensifies nutty flavor, choose pure extract for authentic taste.
For Finishing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Used for rolling and dusting cookies, provides delicate sweet coating and attractive appearance.

Tools & Equipment for Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and mixing dough.
  • Stand Mixer or Whisk: Perfect for whipping egg whites to soft peaks.
  • Small Cookie Scoop: Helps create uniform 1-inch cookie balls quickly.
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
  • Two Matching Cookie Sheets: Stacked together to prevent over-browning and promote even heating.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
  • Whisk: Needed for incorporating dry ingredients and beating egg whites.
  • Powdered Sugar Shaker or Sifter: Useful for dusting hands and rolling cookies.

Baking Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

  • Oven Preparation

Warm the oven to a cozy 300°F and set up two cookie sheets for even baking.

  • Dry Ingredient Blend

Mix almond flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt until perfectly combined.

  • Egg White Magic

Whip egg whites and lemon juice until they form soft, billowy peaks.

  • Dough Creation

Fold egg whites and almond extract into dry ingredients, creating a sticky, rich dough.

  • Cookie Shaping

Dust hands with powdered sugar and form small, round cookie balls. Roll each one in additional powdered sugar.

  • Baking Moment

Spread cookies on lined baking sheets with gentle spacing. Bake for 30-35 minutes until tops crack and bottoms hint at golden brown.

  • Cooling Process

Let cookies rest briefly after baking, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling. Watch closely to prevent over-browning.

Chocolate Amaretti Cookies – Tips to Know

  • Swap almond flour for hazelnut flour to create a nutty twist on the classic recipe.
  • Fold in mini dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the dough for extra texture and richness.
  • Dust cookies with edible glitter or drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies for a stunning presentation.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for extended enjoyment up to 3 weeks.

Chocolate Amaretti Cookies: Serving Suggestions

  • Sweet Coffee Companion: Serve these rich chocolate amaretti cookies alongside a steaming espresso or cappuccino for an authentic Italian dessert experience that brings out the deep almond and cocoa flavors.
  • Elegant Dessert Plate: Dust the cookies with extra powdered sugar and arrange them on a beautiful white porcelain plate, creating a stunning visual contrast that highlights their delicate cracked texture.
  • Ice Cream Pairing: Crumble these cookies over vanilla gelato or premium chocolate ice cream, adding a delightful crunch and intense chocolate-almond complexity that elevates the dessert to gourmet levels.
  • Wine Tasting Treat: Pair these cookies with a glass of dessert wine like moscato or port, allowing the sweet and nutty notes to complement each other perfectly during an after-dinner relaxation moment.

Save & Store Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

  • Cookie Batch Magic: Prepare a double batch of these chocolate amaretti cookies and freeze half the dough for future spontaneous baking moments. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
  • Freshness Guardian: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper. They'll maintain their delightful texture and rich chocolate flavor for 5-7 days, perfect for midweek treat cravings.
  • Travel-Friendly Snack: Pack these cookies in a sturdy container for picnics, road trips, or office lunch breaks. Their compact size and durability make them an ideal companion for on-the-go sweet lovers.
  • Temperature Wisdom: Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and humidity. A cool, dry pantry or kitchen cabinet works best to maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating and prevent potential staleness.
Print
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Crispy Chocolate Amaretti Cookies Recipe

Crispy Chocolate Amaretti Cookies


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Homemade chocolate amaretti cookies blend Italian almond tradition with rich cocoa elegance. Crisp exterior and chewy center promise delightful moments that connect culinary heritage with pure sweet pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180 g) almond flour or very finely ground almonds, sifted
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg whites (about 60 g)
  • 3 tbsps (15 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • ¼ tsp lemon juice
  • 1 pinch salt
  • confectioners’ sugar, as needed

Instructions

  1. Prepare Workspace: Line two lightweight cookie sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even heat distribution and preventing excessive browning.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine almond flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt, whisking until completely smooth and lump-free.
  3. Whip Egg Whites: Beat egg whites with lemon juice until soft, voluminous peaks form, creating a stable meringue-like base for the dough.
  4. Blend Dough: Fold whipped egg whites and almond extract into dry ingredients, creating a slightly tacky, cohesive mixture that holds its shape.
  5. Shape Cookies: Dust hands with powdered sugar, use a cookie scoop to portion uniform dough balls, then roll into smooth spheres and generously coat with additional powdered sugar to achieve a crackled finish.
  6. Bake Precisely: Arrange cookies on prepared sheets with adequate spacing, then bake in a preheated oven at 325°F for 30-35 minutes, watching for characteristic surface cracking and subtle golden edges as doneness indicators.
  7. Cool and Set: Remove from oven and let cookies rest briefly before transferring to wire cooling racks, allowing them to develop their signature delicate, crisp texture.

Notes

  • Strategic Workspace Setup: Stack lightweight cookie sheets with parchment paper to guarantee uniform heat distribution and prevent unwanted cookie bottom burning.
  • Precise Ingredient Blending: Whisk dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps, ensuring a smooth, consistent texture that impacts final cookie quality.
  • Egg White Technique: Whip egg whites with lemon juice until soft peaks form, creating a structural foundation that determines cookie lightness and stability.
  • Sugar Coating Mastery: Generously dust hands and cookie balls with powdered sugar to achieve the signature crackled exterior and prevent sticky dough handling.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 139
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 23 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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