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Soft Amaretti Cookies: A Delightful Treat with Italian Flair
If you’re a fan of almond flavors and soft, chewy cookies, then you’re in for a treat with Soft Amaretti Cookies! These classic Italian cookies are known for their delicate texture, slightly crisp exterior, and rich almond flavor. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, they are simple to make and sure to impress. This version of Amaretti cookies stays soft in the center, making them a crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves a cookie that practically melts in your mouth.
Whether you’re preparing a dessert spread for the holidays or just want to indulge in a sweet treat, these cookies are the perfect balance between elegance and comfort food. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to make Soft Amaretti Cookies, offer tips for achieving the best results, and answer some common questions.
What are Soft Amaretti Cookies?
Amaretti cookies originate from Italy, traditionally made with almonds, egg whites, and sugar. They have a rich, marzipan-like flavor, and depending on the recipe, they can either be crunchy or soft in texture. In this recipe, we’re focusing on the soft variety, where the inside stays chewy while the outside forms a slight crisp.
Tips for Perfect Soft Amaretti Cookies
- Use Blanched Almond Flour: Almond flour is key to achieving the perfect texture. Blanched almond flour is made from almonds with the skin removed, ensuring a smoother cookie without any graininess.
- Egg Whites at Room Temperature: Make sure your egg whites are at room temperature before whipping. This helps them whip up to their full volume and incorporate better into the dough.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look lightly golden and have a slight crack on the outside when done. Overbaking will make them crunchy instead of soft, so keep an eye on them!
- Almond Extract vs. Amaretto Liqueur: If you want a deeper almond flavor, you can add a splash of Amaretto liqueur in addition to almond extract. It gives the cookies a more intense flavor, but it’s entirely optional.
- Rolling in Sugar: Rolling the cookie dough in powdered sugar before baking adds a nice crackle effect on top of the cookies, giving them a beautiful appearance and a slight sweetness on the exterior.
Soft Amaretti Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg whites (at room temperature)
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Beat Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form. You want the egg whites to hold their shape but still be soft and pliable.
- Incorporate Egg Whites: Gently fold the egg whites into the almond mixture. Add almond and vanilla extracts and continue to fold until a sticky dough forms. Be careful not to deflate the egg whites too much.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Roll each ball in powdered sugar and place it on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between the cookies.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes, or until they have a light golden color and have formed cracks on the top. The cookies should still be soft to the touch in the center.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy: Serve with a cup of espresso, coffee, or your favorite tea!
Recipe Card
Soft Amaretti Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Spoon or cookie scoop
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg whites at room temperature
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Beat Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form. You want the egg whites to hold their shape but still be soft and pliable.
- Incorporate Egg Whites: Gently fold the egg whites into the almond mixture. Add almond and vanilla extracts and continue to fold until a sticky dough forms. Be careful not to deflate the egg whites too much.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Roll each ball in powdered sugar and place it on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between the cookies.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes, or until they have a light golden color and have formed cracks on the top. The cookies should still be soft to the touch in the center.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy: Serve with a cup of espresso, coffee, or your favorite tea!
Common Questions About Soft Amaretti Cookies
Q: How long will Soft Amaretti Cookies stay fresh?
A: These cookies can stay fresh for up to a week if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They may soften slightly over time, but that chewy center will remain delicious!
Q: Can I freeze Soft Amaretti Cookies?
A: Yes! You can freeze them for up to 3 months. Make sure they are completely cool before placing them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Q: Do I have to use almond flour, or can I substitute with other flour?
A: Almond flour is essential to the texture and flavor of Amaretti cookies, so it cannot be substituted with other types of flour like wheat flour. You can, however, make your own almond flour by grinding blanched almonds in a food processor.
Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Great news! Soft Amaretti Cookies are naturally gluten-free because they are made with almond flour. No modifications are needed to make this recipe safe for those avoiding gluten.
Q: What if I don’t have powdered sugar?
A: While powdered sugar gives the cookies that classic cracked look, you can skip this step if needed. The cookies will still taste amazing, but they may not have that signature appearance.
Q: Can I make these without almond extract?
A: You can, but the almond extract is what gives these cookies their signature flavor. If you don’t have almond extract, you can try using a bit of Amaretto liqueur for a similar flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
Soft Amaretti Cookies are a delightful Italian dessert that are easy to make yet look impressive. Their rich almond flavor, chewy texture, and beautiful cracked tops make them a perfect treat for any occasion. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free, which makes them ideal for gatherings with a variety of dietary needs.
Try out this recipe and enjoy these tender, almond-flavored cookies any time of year. You’ll find they quickly become a favorite among friends and family!
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