Italian Amaretti Cookies

Why You'll Love This Recipe

There's so much to adore about these little Italian almond Christmas cookies. They're elegant, easy, full of almond flavor, and completely irresistible for anyone who loves soft and chewy cookies.

Simple ingredients - You won't need anything fancy, just almond flour, sugar, egg whites, and almond extract. Basic ingredients that create magic when baked together.

Easy to make - With no butter to soften, no dough to chill, and no complicated steps, these cookies come together in minutes.

Soft and chewy - The crispy, crackly outside and tender center make these almond flour Italian cookies unbelievably addictive.

Gluten-free - Since they're made with almond flour, they're naturally gluten-free and are perfect for friends and family with gluten intolerance.

Perfect for Christmas - They look stunning on a dessert table, travel well for cookie exchanges, and make wonderful homemade gifts.

Ingredients and Their Part in the Recipe

These Italian almond-flavored cookies use just a handful of ingredients, each playing an important role in texture and flavor. Here's what you'll need:

Almond flour - The base of the cookie, giving it a naturally nutty flavor and tender chew.

Granulated sugar - Sweetens the dough and helps create that crisp, crackly exterior.

Egg whites - Whipped to stiff peaks, they create lightness and help the cookies rise.

Salt - Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.

Almond extract - Provides that signature amaretti aroma and flavor.

Powdered sugar - Creates the beautiful snowy coating and crackled effect.

How to Make Amaretti Cookies

These Italian almond cookies are super simple to prepare and ready to bake in minutes. Here's what to do:

1. Combine almond flour and 1 cup of granulated sugar in a large bowl.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites and salt into stiff peaks. Fold in almond extract.
3. Add stiff egg whites to the almond flour mixture.
4. Fold together until it forms a dough.

5. Using a cookie scoop, scoop, then form into 1" balls with your palms. Drop into a bag with ⅓ cup granulated sugar.
6. Next, drop it into a bag with powdered sugar, then place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
8. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

9. Let the cookies cool for 5-10 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips for Success

Be careful not to get any yolk in the egg whites. Any trace of fat will keep the whites from whipping properly.

Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks to give the cookies their perfect light texture.

Fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites gently to avoid deflating them.

Use a cookie scoop so the cookies are the same size, bake evenly, and look uniform.

Coat the dough in granulated sugar before powdered sugar to help the powdered sugar stay on the surface instead of melting into the cookies.

Recipe Variations to Make Them Your Own

These cookies are delicious as-is, but they can easily be customized with other flavors or nut flours.

• Flour variations: Try cashew flour, hazelnut flour, walnut flour, pecan flour, or pistachio flour for a unique twist.
• Almond extract: Swap the extract for Amaretto liqueur for even richer almond flavor.
• Lemon: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest or 1 teaspoon lemon extract for a bright citrus variation.
• Orange: Add orange zest or a splash of orange extract for a citrus-almond combination.
• Chocolate: Drizzle with melted chocolate for a sweet finish.

Make Ahead

Amaretti cookie dough freezes beautifully. Shape the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, thaw, coat in the sugars, and bake as directed.

How to Store and Freeze

Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Their chewy texture stays perfect for days.

Freeze baked cookies by placing them on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag or container. They keep well for up to 4 months. Simply thaw at room temperature before serving.

More Recipes for Cookies with Nuts

If you love nutty cookies, here are more delicious recipes to add to your baking list.

Almond Shortbread Sandwich Cookies - Buttery cookies sandwiched with rich chocolate.

Brazil Nut Snowball Cookies - Melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies made with Brazil nuts.

Pecan Sandies - Crisp, nutty cookies with rich pecan flavor.

Pistachio Shortbread Cookies - Soft, buttery shortbread with finely chopped pistachios.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies - Soft, chewy cookies loaded with macadamias and white chocolate.

Find lots of easy recipes for cookies to bake for the holidays or any occasion right here on 2CM!