Soft and Chewy Italian Almond Cookie Recipe (Amaretti)

These delicious Italian amaretti almond cookies have a crisp exterior, soft and chewy center, and are bursting with almond flavor! Only 7 ingredients, naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

Why You'll Love This Almond Cookie Recipe

Discover the irresistible combination of textures in these Italian almond cookies. They're soft and chewy inside, with a delightful crispy almond coating and a marzipan center, infused with a delcious almond flavor. This easy recipe is perfect for any gathering, or simply to satisfy your almond craving. Here are more reasons why you will love this almond cookie recipe:

• Only 7 Ingredients: We make these chewy almond cookies with simple, naturally gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients.
• An easy recipe to make: You can make this easy cookie recipe in under an hour.
• Lots of almond flavor: Almond extract and ground almonds flavor the cookie dough, baking creates soft marzipan centers, and sliced almonds top the exterior, adding a nice crunch.

Almond Cookie Ingredients 

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these easy almond cookies:

Ingredient Notes

• Egg Whites: You'll need the egg whites of three large eggs, at room temperature. I recommend weighing them on a food scale for accuracy and saving the large egg yolks for an omelet or egg scramble.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar (unprocessed cane sugar) sweetens the cookie dough.
• Almond Flour: Blanched almond flour, not almond meal, gives these amaretti cookies structure and makes them naturally gluten-free. 
• Almond Extract: Although traditional recipes call for amaretto liqueur, we're using almond extract to achieve the same delicious, delicate almond flavor more simply. If you are not a fan of almond flavor, vanilla extract is a wonderful substitute.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the other flavors.
• Flaked Almonds: Blanched almond slices add nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sifting a little powdered sugar over the top of the cookies adds flavor and a beautiful finished look.

Find the printable recipe card with full recipe instructions and measurements below.

How To Make Almond Cookies

Follow these step-by-step photos and instructions for delcious almond cookies:

• Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set the prepared baking sheets aside.
• Step 2: Combine dry ingredients. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients thoroughly so that they are evenly mixed.
• Step 3: Whip the egg whites. In a separate large bowl, using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the room-temperature egg whites on high speed. Continue beating for 2 to 4 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Stiff peaks mean the egg whites hold their shape when the beaters are lifted. Be careful not to over-whip the egg whites, as they can become clumpy.
• Step 4: Incorporate the dry ingredients.  If using a stand mixer, turn the mixer to low speed. Add the almond extract and then gradually add the almond flour mixture to the egg whites. Mix until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a thick almond paste-like batter. If mixing by hand, add the almond extract to the egg whites. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in one-third of the almond flour mixture. Once combined, fold in the remaining two-thirds of the almond flour mixture. You can use firm strokes to ensure all ingredients are incorporated, but avoid overmixing.

• Step 5: Shape the cookies. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into (approximately 1-inch or 24 grams). A food scale can ensure consistent size. Roll each portion of dough between your clean hands to form a smooth, round ball.
• Step 6: Coat with almond slices. Pour the sliced almonds into a shallow bowl. Roll each cookie dough ball in the sliced almonds, ensuring it is fully coated. Place 12 almond-coated cookie dough balls on each prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
• Step 7: Bake the cookies. Gently press down on the top of each cookie slightly to flatten them a little. Bake the cookies for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the cracks on the surface are set and the bottoms are golden brown.
• Step 8: Cool and finish: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Using a fine-mesh sieve, lightly dust the tops of the cookies with powdered sugar. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storage

• To store: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

More Almond Flour Cookies You'll Love

Check out these other homemade cookie recipes using almond flour:

• Limoncello Cookies: Indulge in a modern Amaretti experience. These soft, chewy cookies are a symphony of flavor, with the tangy zest of limoncello and lemon complementing the sweet, nutty notes of almond extract.
• Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies: These almond flour chocolate chip cookies are a personal favorite! They're simple to make and always result in a delicious combination of soft, chewy insides, crispy outsides, and plenty of buttery, chocolatey goodness.
• Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies with Cocoa Powder: These almond flour chocolate cookies are a decadent treat: soft, chewy, fudgy, and loaded with chocolate chips. A sprinkle of sea salt enhances the rich chocolate flavor in this amazing recipe. Naturally gluten-free and easy to prepare.

I hope you love this almond cookie recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

Recipe