Amaretti

Name: Amaretti
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 50
Ingredients: Peeled almonds 1 ½ cup; Sugar 0.7 cup; Powdered sugar 1 cup; Egg whites 1.8 oz; Armelline almonds 0.5 oz; Baker's ammonia ½ tsp; Almond extract bitter (optional) to taste

it de fr es br

Calories per serving

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Vegetarian

Energy Kcal 43
Carbohydrates g 5.4
of which sugars g 5.4
Protein g 0.8
Fats g 2.1
of which saturated fat g 0.17
Fiber g 0.6
Sodium mg 2

Difficulty: Average
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Makes: 50
Cost: Low
Note + 1 night of resting the dough in the fridge

PRESENTATION

Amaretti cookies are, honestly, a beloved staple all over Italy. Each region? They have their own twist on these super tasty treats. Up north, you’ll find a crunchy biscuit. Head south, and it is a softer, chewier version dusted with sugar crystals. The secret to their really, really good almond flavor? It’s in the mix of sweet almonds and just a hint of bitter ones. These bitter almonds are unique—they’re extracted from kernels inside apricot or peach pits—and just a tiny bit can totally change the flavor.

This classic amaretti recipe nails a tender inside and crisp outside by finely grinding almonds with powdered and granulated sugar. Then you fold in whipped egg whites. Thing is, letting the dough chill overnight is crucial. It amps up the flavor, and your cookies will bake perfectly.

Italian almond cookies like these are crowd-pleasers, whether with coffee, in a lunchbox, or next to some gelato. And listen, the sweet aroma while they bake is something else. Plus, the golden crust? Seriously satisfying. Across Italy, you might find amaretti in cakes, crumbled over desserts, or just enjoyed one at a time. These traditional Italian cookies are flourless, so they're perfect as gluten-free cookies. Really easy to share with everyone, no question.

Some families have their own cherished recipes, maybe making them a bit more moist in the center or a tad more crispy outside. But really, no matter how they’re made, amaretti are one of those easy Italian desserts that leave a lasting impression. Simple yet full of flavor, they're perfect for so many occasions. Grab a few with your coffee, or keep them around for when you need something special—that’s the magic of homemade amaretti. For real.

How to prepare Amaretti

To prepare the amaretti, roast the blanched almonds for a few minutes in a preheated static oven at 392°F 1. Then place them in the mixer with the bitter almonds, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar 2 and grind everything 3.

Then sift the mixture 4 before placing it back in the mixer to grind it even more finely 5. Sift it again into a large bowl 6.

Now add the baking ammonia 7, the egg whites 8, and a few drops of bitter almond extract (optional). Mix with a spatula to combine the ingredients and obtain a soft and homogeneous dough 9.

Cover it with a clean cloth 10 and place the dough in the refrigerator for an entire night. The next day, take the dough, which will have solidified 11, and form about 50 balls 12.

You can bake in two batches, placing 25 balls at a time spaced apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Slightly press them in the center with your fingers 13 and bake in a preheated static oven at 338°F for about 20 minutes (302°F for 10-15 minutes if using a convection oven). Once the required time has passed, remove the amaretti from the oven 14 and let them cool on a wire rack before serving them 15.

Storage

You can store amaretti for 2-3 days in a glass or tin jar, or in a freezer bag.
We do not recommend freezing the raw dough; however, it is possible to freeze the already formed raw cookies arranged on a tray with enough space between them.

Advice

You can use baking soda instead of baking ammonia in the same quantities. If you do not want to use bitter almonds, you can replace them with the same amount of blanched almonds. You can purchase bitter almond extract at a herbalist shop.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Amaretti

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Amaretti

Storage

Advice

RELATED RECIPES