Italian Amaretti Cookies
on Nov 15, 2022, Updated Nov 08, 2023
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One of my favorite recipes in the world has got to be Italian Amaretti 🤌cookies. These authentic Italian cookies are so good that I love them even more than chocolate chip, oatmeal, gingerbread, and sugar cookies combined! The recipe makes sixteen biscotti’s, so if you want to make everyone happy, you may need to double or even triple it. The best part is that you can make them without the Amaretto and they’re just as delicious.
Why You’ll Love Italian Amaretti Cookies
What’s not to love – crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and easy to make. Not to mention, they happen to be gluten-free, and dairy-free, and they don’t have yolks, milk, butter, or traditional flour in them so they are definitely a bit cleaner and more inclusive than other holiday recipes.
How to Prepare Italian Amaretti Cookies
👩🍳Preheat the oven to 350F. Begin by combining almond flour and sugar in a bowl, setting it aside.
🥣In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form white, foamy peaks, this usually takes 1-2 minutes. Add almond extract (or Amaretto) to the egg-white mixture, whisking briefly.
🥚Combine the egg whites with the dry ingredients, using a spatula or your hands if needed, until a sticky dough forms.
🥄Roll the dough into balls, using a measuring spoon or small ice-cream scoop, and dip each cookie ball into powdered sugar before placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
🌙Gently flatten each cookie with your fingers or the back of a spoon. Or, you can shape them into half-moons, dip them in crushed almond slices, or leave them plain.
🧁Bake at 350F for approximately 20 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. After baking, allow the biscotti to cool and before storing them in a glass Tupperware.
Nonna’s Tip 👩🍳
Make sure to whisk the egg-whites until they form stiff peaks. Feel free to shape the cookies any shape you like.
Italian Amaretti Cookies Variations and Substitutions
- I wouldn’t substitute egg-whites in this recipe. However, you can add other ingredients in the dough like raisins, craisins, or anything festive.
- I have not tried this recipe with any other flour, so you will have to experiment.
- The almond on top of each cookie is more traditional, but optional. Feel free to shape them any way you like.
Other Cookie Recipes
If you love this recipe, you have to try my other cookie recipes such as my easy Puff Pastry Nutella Twists.
Shortbread Butter Cookies
27 mins
Easy Gingerbread Cookies
3 hrs 23 mins
3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
20 mins
Best Served With
- Coffee or tea ☕
- The Italian way which is with a shot of Vecchia 🥃 (Italian Brandy)
- With a glass of milk 🥛
Common Questions
Although I have not tried this recipe with any other flour, you can definitely experiment. Results and measurements will vary.
Unfortunately, you will need the eggs in this recipe. I do recommend looking for other egg-free cookie recipes online if you are egg-free.
Yes but these are almond cookies. You can however substitute for pure vanilla extract but know that it won’t be that same authentic taste.
4 Ingredient Amaretti cookies
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups almond flour , (250 g) blanched
- ½ cup granulated sugar , (100 g)
- ½ cup egg-whites, (120 ml) I separated 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract , or vanilla if you don’t like it
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. In a bowl, mix the almond flour and sugar and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg-whites until they are white and foamy for about 1-2 minutes.
- Now add in the almond extract (or Amaretto) and whisk for a few seconds. Add the egg-white mixture into your dry ingredients. Incorporate with a spatula or switch to using your hands if you have a hard time.
- If the dough sticks to your hands you can wet your hands a bit and roll.
- Incorporate everything until you have a nice sticky dough. Once you have a sticky dough you can roll each cookie into balls — take a measuring spoon or small ice-cream scoop and scoop the dough into your hands and roll them.
- Dip each cookie ball into powdered sugar and place them on your baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten each cookie gently with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
- You can also roll them into a ball and then roll into a thick short rope and make a half-moon shape and then dip it crushed almond slices, and then add powdered sugar on top. You can also make half-moons and leave them plain as well.
- Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until light golden bottoms. Let them cool and place them in a glass Tupperware as they will be delicious even 2-3 days before Christmas. Enjoy and share with your loved ones!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi, I want to make them ahead of Christmas and wondered if they can or should be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze amaretti cookies for up to three months. Freezing amaretti cookies can be convenient for last-minute gatherings or as a gift. Here are some tips for freezing amaretti cookies:
Separate layers:
Place a layer of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer of cookies to prevent the powdered sugar from coming off.
Freeze on a baking sheet:
Freeze the cookies on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container.
Thaw:
Thaw cookies overnight in the refrigerator or leave them on the counter for a couple of hours.
Amaretti cookies can also be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week
So it says 1 1/2 cup of egg-whites which its about 12 eggs but then it says 120ml which is about 4 egg-white… its a little confusing. Is it 12 or 4 eggs that I need?
Hi Eva, it says 1/2 cup egg whites not 1.5 cups. Where are you seeing 1 1/2? 4 eggs is what you need, not 12.
Do you place the almonds on top before or after baking the cookies?
Hi Maria! Great question! Place the almonds on top before baking. You can watch me make the recipe here:
Happy baking! 😘
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Great recipe! I added real raspberry jam to a batch and they came out great.
Sounds amazing – nice touch!
Did you add it to the dough or just a blob on top like thumbprint cookies?
These are delicious and everytime I make them my guests always ask me for the recipe. Thank you for sharing your receipes!!
Thank you, Pina! Love to hear this!
Could I use the whole egg?
Hi Sharon, the eggs won’t develop stiff peaks if you include the yolks. Just use egg whites for this recipe. Happy baking!
This recipe is so easy & always turns out great! My family loves it so much I can’t keep up making them. Delicious love the chewy inside!.
Aww thanks Geraldine; I’m so glad your family loves them.
Egg replacer testing!
the liquid from a 15.5 oz (439 mL) can of chickpeas (aquafaba) works great instead of egg whites! This is the standard can size that Trader Joe’s sells btw
I measured half a cup of aquafaba, then whipped that plus the extract. Followed the recipe as normal. It might take longer than chicken egg whites but be patient
The dough seemed a bit more wet compared to the video, I added about 1/4 – 1/3 c more almond flour. I used unblanched almond flour as well. I doubt it made a taste or structural difference. The cookies were just a bit darker in color.
The dough was sticky to work with, but I imagine that will be resolved if the dough chills before baking.
I rolled the top in crushed almonds, popped it out of the cookie scoop, then rolled the bottom in powdered sugar. Topped with more powdered sugar and a pinch of salt after they came out of the oven.
Super delicious and easy recipe!! Great to use up random bags of almond flour I had around and low waste using the chickpea liquid.
Will definitely be making again.
Wow, Julia, THANK YOU! You are such a gem!
You’re amazing. I love your recipes!
Awwww, thank you Beth!! Appreciate you! 😊