I am very happy to share with you the recipe for what is possibly my favourite cookie ever: Amaretti. These cookies have a very ancient history, as they were first made in Italy during the Middle Ages. There are many different recipes and each region of Italy has its own version, but there are 2 main kinds: the soft ones and the crispy ones. Today I will show you how to make the crispier ones that originate from my region, Lombardy, and specifically from the town of Saronno. They are really easy to make and they taste so much better than the store bought ones (that I can easily find at the supermarket here in Sydney). I like to eat these with my espresso, but I also use them to make other desserts, like my Chai Cheesecake with Pumpkin Butterscotch Sauce or my White Chocolate and Amaretti Cheesecake Shooters. They are also a fantastic way to use up any leftover egg whites that you may have. These would be a great addition to your Christmas hampers!! Try them and let me know how you like them!
Amaretti
Learn how to bake perfect amaretti, the most iconic almond based Italian cookies.
Ingredients
- 215 gms - 1 1/2 cup blanched almonds
- 50 gms - 1 3/4 oz a little more than 1 egg whites
- 140 gms - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 gms - 2/3 tsp ammonia bicarbonate powder
- 125 gms - 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 tsp bitter almond extract
Instructions
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Toast the almonds in a pre-heated oven at 200°C - 390°F for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool down completely.
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Blend the toasted almond together with the granulated sugar and the icing sugar until you get a fine powder. Sieve the mixture to remove any lumps and put it in a bowl.
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Add the ammonia bicarbonate, egg whites (NOT beaten) and almond extract and mix with a spatula until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and refrigerate it overnight.
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Bake in a pre-heated fan-forced oven at 150°C - 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
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Let them cool on the oven tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool down completely.
Recipe Notes
I like to use ammonia bicarbonate for these cookies as it makes them lighter and crispier, but if you cannot find it, you can substitute it with baking powder. If using ammonia bicarbonate, do not add more than required or you may taste it in the baked cookies.
These are truly wonderful. I had to pin, tweet and share on Facebook, Yums, & G+. Hopefully everyone will make these cookies SOON! I LOVE THEM!
Awwww thank you so much Bea! You are always so kind! <3
They seem wonderful ! I can’t wait to try your recipe. I’ll tell you Thank you so much.
I have been looking Amaretti recipe for long time,I tried a few but not the same I bought in Florence, the recipes I tried it turned out like Macaroon . Your Amaretti recipe look so good I will try soon.thanks you so much Manu
Tookie
Just to look at the image.its drive me to try the recipe out.afew year ago I went to Florence bought Amaretti it so good. I tried many recipes but failed it was like macaroon instead of Amaretti. I almost certain your recipe will work. I will try in next few day and let you know.
Thanks you Manu
Tookie
Adelaide s.a