Homemade Almond Amaretti Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups (200g) almond flour 2 cups (200g) almond flour
• 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
• 3 large egg whites 3 large egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 90 kcal / 377 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 11g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.02g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the almond flour and granulated sugar.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy.
4. 4.
   Add the frothy egg whites, almond extract, and vanilla extract to the almond flour mixture. Stir until well combined and a sticky dough forms.
5. 5.
   Using your hands, shape the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
6. 6.
   Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
7. 7.
   Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown and slightly cracked on the surface.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet.
9. 9.
   Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almond flour — Make sure to use finely ground almond flour for the best texture in the cookies.
• Granulated sugar — If you prefer a less sweet cookie, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
• Egg whites — Ensure that the egg whites are at room temperature before whisking to achieve maximum volume.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a pinch of lemon zest to the cookie dough.
• If you prefer a more pronounced almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract to the powdered sugar used for dusting.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crispness.
• These cookies make a wonderful homemade gift for friends and family.
• If you want a gluten-free alternative, ensure that the almond flour you use is certified gluten-free.

Serving advice

Serve these almond amaretti cookies alongside a cup of espresso or cappuccino for a truly authentic Italian experience. They also pair well with a glass of sweet dessert wine.

Presentation advice

Arrange the almond amaretti cookies on a decorative platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar. You can also garnish the platter with a few whole almonds for an elegant touch.