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All Italian cookies are wonderful, but it has to be said that Amaretti cookies just have to be one of the best ever! They go amazingly with coffee or another drink and are the perfect snack at the end of a long day. In fact, any occasion is ideal for soft amaretti cookies, so why not whip up a batch and get ready for lots of praise coming your way!
Are you are looking for cute cookies ‘just like Nonna used to make’? Maybe you fancy something sweet and yummy to spoil the family with. Try this tasty cookies.
Also try Chocolate Almond Horns, Italian Easter Cookies, Italian Rainbow Cookies, or these Italian Chocolate Chestnut Tortelli Cookies.
Why You’ll Love Them
Easy: There’s nothing hard about making Amaretti cookies. In fact, if you’re looking for an easy cookies recipe, you’re going to be glad you made these!
Delicious: These cookies have been around seemingly forever and that’s largely because they’re so tasty, flavored delicately with almonds.
Versatile: They’re just as good served before bed with a glass of milk as with your after-dinner coffee.
Ingredients for Amaretti Cookies
You only need six ingredients to make amaretti cookies and a little powdered sugar for rolling. Christmas baking couldn’t be simpler!
Some people like to add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract or a dash of orange or lemon juice to theirs. That’s optional though of course.
We are using almond flour and granulated sugar, as well as egg whites and almond extract. For a more authentic flavor, swap the almond extract for amaretto liqueur. Hey, why not? These are festive little bites after all, after one doozy of a year. Let’s do some holiday baking, and then eat, drink and be merry!
If you like these lovely little Italian almond cookies, you might also enjoy this amaretto cream pie with almond crust.
How to Make Italian Amaretti Cookies
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix the eggs and almond extract: Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks and add the almond essence or almond liqueur and whisk some more.
Combine the dry ingredients: Mix the almond flour or almond meal with the caster sugar in another bowl.
Now combine both mixtures: Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and use your hands to blend everything together, adding more ground almonds if it’s too wet.
Let it rest: Chill the amaretti dough overnight in the refrigerator.
Shape the cookies: Divide the cookie dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in icing sugar, then arrange on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Bake the cookies: Bake them in the oven until they’re golden, then let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Substitutions and Variations
There are some changes you might wish to make in this Amaretti cookie recipe. The choice of almond extract or almond liqueur is yours.
If you want to use almond extract, you’ll probably need a bottle (depending on strength) or if using almond liqueur a splash should be sufficient. You can also swap the sugar for sweetener if you prefer or add a little lemon zest.
Sometimes amaretti cookies are sandwiched together with jam, buttercream or ganache, like their French equivalents. A bowl of vanilla ice cream goes well with a couple of Amaretti cookies, too. That could be a great idea if you’re in both a holiday baking and ice cream mood!
How to Serve
This Amaretti cookies recipe is ideal and served with anything from a glass of milk to a cup of coffee, glass of tea, or anything else you like.
If you have some left over, which are beginning to dry out a little, there are still some great uses for them. Some people even chop or grind these cookies up and add them to trifles and other desserts like this budino cake to boost both flavor and texture. Once you have prepared these little treats, you might want to try this out, especially if they get a day or so past their prime.
How to Store Amaretti Cookies
Store: These soft and chewy cookies will stay fresh for a few days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freeze: You can freeze the uncooked dough balls for up to a couple of months before thawing and proceeding with the recipe, or freeze the baked cookies if you have too many.
Amaretti Cookie FAQs
In this recipe, you can use amaretto extract, but if you have it, amaretto liqueur is the traditional ingredient. Amaretto is an almond-flavored liqueur from Saronno, Italy. It makes an excellent aperitif and kicks off any party in style. The only thing sweeter than a glass of amaretto is enjoying these tasty amaretti cookies on the side. Go on, spoil yourself!
The word ‘amaretti’ is the Italian way of saying macarons. These little treats are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, just like French macarons. (Those are not to be confused with macaroons, which are super-heavy and made with coconut flakes). The Italian word ‘amaro’ translates into English as ‘bitter’. This is because these cookies are flavored with bitter almonds. Following that, ‘amaretti’ literally means ‘small bitter ones.’
Yes, as they’re made with almond flour or almond meal (ground-blanched almonds), these Italian almond cookies are naturally gluten-free.
It’s up to you and you can use whichever you prefer, but I find weights works better than cups because it’s more accurate that way.
They tend to come out a bit doughy if you use regular almond flour. They are better if you use almond meal.
The dough is very thick so a Danish Dough whisk (like this one) is perfect. You might find the dough too thick for an electric mixer to handle.
Amaretti Cookies Recipe
Amaretti Cookies
Ingredients
- 500 Grams almond flour, about 5.2 cups
- 300 Grams granulated sugar, about 1.3 cups
- 5 egg whites
- 1 Ounce almond extract, approx one bottle, or use almond liquer
- 4 Cups powdered sugar, to roll them in
Instructions
- Place the 5 egg whites in a bowl and whisk until bubbles form.
- Add the almond extract (or liqueur) and whisk again.
- In a separate bowl, combine the almond meal and sugar together.
- Pour the egg white mixture into the dry ingredient bowl. Thoroughly mix.
- If needed, you can use your hands to combine everything. If it feels wet or sticky, add a small amount of almond meal.
- Refrigerate overnight or for a few hours minimum.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. Put the icing sugar into a shallow bowl.
- Make a 1" ball with the dough in your hands. If your hands get sticky dip a finger in a bowl of water and wet palms.
- Roll each amaretti cookie ball in the icing sugar. Shake off excess and place on the baking sheet. Press down into a thick oval shape, and repeat to use all the dough.
- Bake cookies for 15 minutes until lightly brown. Remove from tray to cool on a rack.
Notes
Nutrition
These little amaretti cookies are found all over Italy, and not just during the chillier months. They are typically dome shaped and range from 1½ to 2 inches wide. Amaretti are sometimes known as ‘biscotti da credenza’ which means they can sit in the kitchen drawer (credenza) for a while. At least, until someone wants a speedy snack or the kids get home from school hungry! Flavored with almonds, these little treats are always a popular option.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
The flavor and texture = AMAZING!
Just came across this recipe for Amaretti cookies and thinking about making a batch.
The Ingredients list calls for egg whites but then in the first line in the instructions calls for whisking the egg yolks. Am I correct to assume that’s a typo and should read whisk egg whites.
Oops! Good catch – it’s been changed now. Thanks!
I made these and they were really delicious.