Description
Delicate Italian pistachio amaretti cookies showcase rich almond and nutty flavors from Sicily. Homemade treats deliver authentic Mediterranean sweetness you’ll savor with espresso or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (100 g/3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 2 large egg whites (60 g/2.1 oz)
- 1 cup (100 g/3.5 oz) almond flour or very finely ground almonds, sifted
- 1 cup (100 g/3.5 oz) pistachio flour or very finely ground pistachios, sifted
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp pistachio extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- Confectioners’ sugar, as needed
Instructions
- Nut Flour Preparation: Spread pistachio and almond flours on a parchment-lined baking sheet, gently toasting at low temperature until completely dry and aromatic, then allow to cool thoroughly.
- Dry Ingredient Blend: Combine cooled nut flours with sugar and salt, whisking meticulously to create a uniform mixture with consistent texture.
- Egg White Transformation: Whip egg whites and lemon juice in a separate vessel until soft, billowy peaks emerge, creating a light, airy foundation.
- Dough Formation: Delicately fold whipped egg whites and pistachio extract into dry ingredients, crafting a cohesive, slightly tacky dough with gentle movements.
- Cookie Shaping: Dust hands with powdered sugar, use a cookie scoop to portion dough, rolling each into smooth spheres and generously coating with additional powdered sugar for a delicate exterior.
- Baking Process: Arrange cookies on a double-layered, parchment-lined baking sheet with ample spacing, then bake in a preheated oven until tops develop elegant cracks and bottoms turn a pale golden color.
- Cooling and Finishing: Remove from oven, allow brief resting, then transfer to wire cooling racks to achieve complete cooling and develop optimal texture and crispness.
Notes
- Dry Nuts Thoroughly: Toasting nut flours at low temperature ensures moisture removal, preventing dense or soggy cookie texture.
- Whip Egg Whites Precisely: Soft peaks are crucial for achieving light, airy amaretti with signature delicate crumb structure.
- Prevent Sticking Strategically: Powdered sugar coating not only prevents dough adhesion but also creates a beautiful, classic amaretti exterior.
- Handle Gently: Careful folding of egg whites maintains their delicate volume, resulting in soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 21
- Calories: 109
- Sugar: 9.52 g
- Sodium: 0.12 g
- Fat: 4.35 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.85 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16.82 g
- Fiber: 1.14 g
- Protein: 2.67 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg