Description
Deliciously soft Amaretti cookies with a chewy texture and signature cracks, infused with almond and lemon flavors. These traditional Italian treats are easy to make, requiring simple ingredients like almond flour, sugar, egg whites, and almond extract. Perfect for a delightful snack or a sweet accompaniment to coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 250 grams almond flour (scant 2½ cups)
- 200 grams granulated sugar (approx 1 cup)
- Extra granulated sugar for rolling (⅓ cup)
- Lemon zest of one medium lemon (organic)
Wet Ingredients
- 3 egg whites (111 grams)
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract (5 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325° F (162℃) and position the rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk together the almond flour and granulated sugar. Add the grated lemon zest and whisk again to evenly distribute the zest flavors throughout the mixture.
- Whisk Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they reach a soft peak stage. Then, gently whisk in the pure almond extract to infuse flavor into the meringue.
- Combine Ingredients: Carefully fold the egg white mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until the dough is fully moist and uniform without overmixing.
- Portion the Dough: Using the smallest ice cream scooper (about 1 tablespoon), portion out the dough into balls. With slightly damp hands, press your palms into the plate with extra granulated sugar.
- Coat Dough Balls: Roll each dough ball first in your sugar-coated palms, then again directly in the sugar on the plate. This double coating creates the signature crackly crust on the cookies.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them adequately. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the bottoms turn a light golden brown color.
- Cool and Store: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to airtight containers. Store at room temperature for 3 to 4 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For the softest texture and signature crack, do not overmix the egg whites into the dry ingredients.
- Using pure almond extract enhances the authentic almond flavor.
- Sugar coating contributes to both flavor and the classic cracked appearance on the cookies.
- Let the cookies cool fully before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or a light dessert wine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 62 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
