Skip to main content

Amaretti Cookies for Your Christmas Cookie Platter

Image
Donna Urso

Are you looking for Christmas cookie suggestions? During the holiday season, while you're pondering classic Christmas cookie favorites like sugar cookies and gingerbread men, consider adding a touch of Italian flair to your Christmas cookie platter. 

Try Amaretti, delicate Italian almond cookies, with a subtly sweet flavor and crumbly texture. They are sure to become a cherished family treat. These classic Italian cookies have become a favorite Christmas cookie at my house.

How to Make Classic Italian Amaretti Cookies

Italian amaretti cookies on a plate with a sprig of holly.

Homemade Amaretti cookies bring a touch of sophistication and elegance to any dessert spread, making them perfect holiday treats. Their crisp, slightly chewy texture offers a delightful contrast to the usual soft, gooey holiday desserts. With a subtle almond sweetness, these cookies appeal to adults and kids alike and bring a taste of Italy to your holiday table.

What Are Amaretti Cookies?

Amaretti cookies have a rich history in Italy, gracing tables for centuries with their delicate sweetness and crumbly texture. My husband's grandparents immigrated to the United States from  Italy so I love adding traditional Italian cookies to our holiday treats. 

Various regional versions of amaretti emerged over time in Italy, each offering a unique twist on the classic recipe. From the soft and chewy Amaretti Morbidi, enriched with vanilla and almond extracts, to the crunchy Amaretti Croccanti baked to a drier consistency, and the distinct Amaretti di Saronno from northern Italy, incorporating apricot kernels for a subtle bitterness.

Today, we're baking the soft and chewy Amaretti cookies variation. You'll love the delicate, crisp outside and the softer contrast of the center in these delightful cookies.

5 Reasons You'll Love This Amaretti Recipe

The Authentic Italian taste: This easy amaretti recipe yields soft and chewy cookies with a delightful almond flavor, like the classic treats from Italy.

Simple, accessible ingredients: With just five ingredients, including almond flour, sugar, egg whites, and almond extract, you can create these delectable cookies without fuss.

They are naturally gluten-free cookies: Amaretti cookies are inherently gluten-free, making them a delightful option for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Easy to customize: Feel free to personalize your Amaretti cookies by adding a splash of liqueur, such as Amaretto or almond liqueur, for an extra layer of flavor and indulgence.

They are perfect for any occasion: Even though I suggest this Amaretti cookie recipe for your Christmas cookies, Amaretti cookies are versatile treats that can be enjoyed as a light dessert, an afternoon snack, or a thoughtful gift for loved ones any time of year.

Just One Donna's Amaretti Recipe

Making authentic Italian Amaretti cookies from scratch is unbelievably easy and the ingredients are simple. You will need:

Almond Flour: 3 cups-Almond flour is readily available in grocery stores across the United States. Almond flour is the foundation of these delightful cookies, providing their signature nutty flavor and delicate crumbly texture. Opt for high-quality almond flour for optimal results.

Granulated Sugar: 1 cup-Sugar adds the perfect touch of sweetness to amaretti, balancing the richness of almonds. Granulated sugar is the most common choice, but you can substitute it with other sweeteners, such as powdered sugar or maple syrup, to suit your taste preferences.

Egg Whites: from 3 large eggs, at room temperature-Egg whites play a crucial role in the texture of amaretti, providing structure and a delicate crunch. Ensure the egg whites are fresh and at room temperature for optimal whipping.

Almond Extract: 2 teaspoons-You may prefer a little more or a little less. Almond extract enhances the nutty flavor of amaretti, adding a depth of aroma and taste. For a more authentic Italian experience, choose a pure almond extract.

Confectioners' Sugar: ½ cup (for rolling)

How To Make Amaretti Cookies

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)  on the convection setting or 375°F on the conventional setting and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy with a whisk or your hand mixer. I like to use my hand mixer to speed up the process. Add the almond extract and mix well.

Frothy egg whites in a bowl.

  • Mix the almond flour and sugar together. Add the egg whites and almond extract all at once. Mix until a well-combined dough forms. It just takes a couple of minutes, so avoid overmixing, as this can result in tough cookies. Feel free to use your hands. I usually start mixing with a wooden spoon and finish with my hands.

A woman forming cookie dough into balls between her hands.

  • Scoop 24 equal portions of the dough using a teaspoon and shape them into desired forms, such as rounds or ovals. Rolling the cookies in your hands into rounds is classic and easy.
  • Roll each cookie in the powdered sugar.  
  • Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one. Flatten rounds slightly.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown and the centers are slightly soft.

Amaretti Cookies covered in powdered sugar still in the pan.

  • Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack.

Amaretti Tips

If your Amaretti cookies are too hard, try storing them in a container with a slice of bread to add moisture. Additionally, slightly underbaking the cookies can result in a softer texture.

 If your Amaretti cookies are too soft, bake them for a few extra minutes. Additionally, overmixing the dough can contribute to a softer texture.

For a festive touch, dip the partially baked Amaretti cookies in melted chocolate or drizzle them with icing. Add some sprinkles or slivered almonds.

To package Amaretti cookies as gifts, arrange them in decorative boxes or tins, lining the bottom with parchment paper. Tie a festive ribbon around the packaging for a thoughtful presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Amaretti Cookies

Are Amaretti cookies gluten-free?

Yes, amaretti cookies are naturally gluten-free as they are made with almond flour instead of wheat flour. This makes them a suitable treat for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

What is the difference between soft and hard Amaretti cookies?

There are two main types of Amaretti cookies: soft and hard. Soft Amaretti cookies, also known as Amaretti Morbidi, have a chewier texture, while hard Amaretti cookies, also known as Amaretti Croccanti, have a crunchy texture.

How do I store Amaretti cookies?

Amaretti cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Can I customize the Amaretti recipe?

Yes, you can certainly personalize your amaretti cookies by adding a splash of liqueur, such as Amaretto or almond liqueur, for an extra layer of flavor and indulgence. You can also experiment with different flavorings, such as orange zest or lemon zest. To add a touch of crunch, incorporate almond slivers or chopped nuts into the dough before shaping the cookies. 

What can I serve with Amaretti cookies?

Amaretti cookies can be enjoyed on their own as a light dessert or afternoon snack. They can also be paired with coffee, tea, or a glass of dessert wine. Crumble amaretti cookies to add a nutty crunch to desserts, such as ice cream, yogurt, or fruit salads.

Are Amaretti cookies healthy?

Amaretti cookies are a good source of protein and fiber, thanks to the almond flour. However, they are also high in sugar, so moderation is key.

Making homemade Amaretti cookies is simple and fun. It will fill your kitchen with the aroma of freshly baked Italian treats during the holidays or any time of year. These delightful cookies, with their delicate texture and subtly sweet flavor, are sure to become a favorite addition to your Christmas cookie platter or any dessert occasion. 

Amaretti Cookies Recipe

Italian cookies, Italian Christmas cookies, almond cookies
dessert
Italian
Yield: 24
Author: Donna Urso
You CAN Make the Best Amaretti Cookies: A Classic Italian Cookie Recipehttps://youtu.be/C2_GITDKV00This is how to make classic Amaretti Cookieshttps://i.ytimg.com/vi/C2_GITDKV00/hqdefault.jpg2023-12-6
Classic Italian Amaretti Cookies

Classic Italian Amaretti Cookies

Delightful almond-flavored cookies with a cracked, crunchy outside and a tender chewy inside.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) on the convection setting or 375°F on the conventional setting and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy with a whisk or your hand mixer. Add the almond extract and mix well.
  3. Mix the almond flour and sugar together. Add the egg whites and almond extract all at once. Mix until a well-combined dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can result in tough cookies. Feel free to use your hands.
  4. Scoop 24 equal portions of the dough using a teaspoon and shape them into desired forms, such as rounds or ovals.
  5. Roll each cookie in the powdered sugar.
  6. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one. Flatten rounds slightly.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown and the centers are slightly soft.
  8. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack.

Notes

You might like a little more or less almond extract. These cookies can be shaped into rounds or crescents.

Recommended Products

Hand Mixer
USA Half Sheet Pans
Measuring Spoons

Nutrition Facts

Calories

114.29

Fat (grams)

6.97 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

0.49 g

Carbs (grams)

11.34 g

Fiber (grams)

1.48 g

Net carbs

9.85 g

Sugar (grams)

8.88 g

Protein (grams)

3.42 g

Sodium (milligrams)

6.96 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

0 mg

Nutrional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Sicilian S Cookies

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Date-Filled Cookies, An Old Fashioned Recipe

https://www.justonedonna.com/2023/12/classic-italian-amaretti-cookies.html
©Just One Donna




Comments

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

Donna Urso
In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bread fo
2 comments
Read more

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

Donna Urso
If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Doctor Up Store-Bought Potato Salad

Donna Urso
Here's a potato salad time-saver for you just in time for summer cookouts. You'll love how you can transform grocery store potato salad so easily no matter whether you are hosting a BBQ or bringing a side dish for a summer barbecue. There's no judgment here. We don't always have the time to make a potato salad from scratch. Sometimes it is just easier to stop by your local grocery store to pick up a container of store-made potato salad. It's good. It's predictable.  It will do.  All it needs is a little doctoring. How to Make Store-Bought Potato Salad Better When you need a quick potato salad, and have no time to make one from scratch, that ordinary store-bought potato salad you have in your refrigerator can go from blah to amazing in just a few minutes with just a few ingredients. Yes, you can improve store-bought potato salad. How to Doctor Up Potato Salad to have a little more flavor? You're going to a potluck picnic or you are having
3 comments
Read more

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Donna Urso
Crunchy, spicy, and yummy are all words used to describe a good gingersnap cookie.   While my hands-down, favorite cookie is a gooey chocolate chip cookie I occasionally crave a spicy ginger snaps cookie or  this molasses cookie .  This old-fashioned gingersnap cookie is a winner.  It's easy to make and will be a favorite in your recipe rotation. Traditional Ginger Snaps Cookie Recipe ( This post contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase with these links.) Gingersnaps Cookies In the U.S., gingersnaps are usually drop cookies with lots of cracks on the surface.  That's exactly how I like them.  Those found in other countries may be thinner and sliced.  The Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie, and the pepparkakor, from Sweden, are often cut into festive shapes.  My gingersnaps are round. Reasons You'll Love These Gingersnap Cookies These gingersnaps are tasty cookies at any time of the year.   Their spiciness is perfect as a holid
6 comments
Read more

Five Keys to Growing A Healthy Ficus Tree

Donna Urso
Have you ever wondered how a single Ficus benjamina tree could become a beloved part of your home for decades, thriving and growing alongside your family?  If you haven’t yet, you might consider the addition of this living, air-purifying companion in your home that not only beautifies your space but also stands the test of time.  You may know this tree as either a Ficus benjamina or a weeping fig.   I have loved growing a ficus tree in my home for 36 years. It’s remarkable that I've had this tree for so long.   How to Grow A Ficus Tree Inside for Decades When thinking about how I managed to keep this indoor ficus tree happy, healthy, and growing strong all these years it boiled down to five key Ficus benjamina plant care tips. Follow these tips and you can have a happy, healthy ficus tree in your home for many years, too.
18 comments
Read more

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

Donna Urso
One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 
7 comments
Read more

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Donna Urso
Are you looking for the best whoopie pie recipe?  Whoopie pies are a quintessential New England dessert and a memorable treat from my childhood.   My mom would make them for us every once in a while.  Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies!  Yum! Today I'm sharing my recipe for the best-ever whoopie pies. The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff Whoopie Pies Whoopie pies are soft round cookie-like cakes with a smooth cream filling sandwiched in the center. Debate rages about the whoopie pie's origin.  Some say these goodies originated in New England, others say they originated with the Amish.   There is also debate about what ingredients should be in the filling.  Many recipes include fillings made with Marshmallow Fluff or buttercream but neither is  traditional, in my opinion.  The whoopie pie of my childhood is a traditional Maine whoopie pie recipe, made with a cooked flour and milk mixture added to suga
6 comments
Read more

How to Trap and Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Donna Urso
Fruit flies can be a huge annoyance at certain times of the year. What can you do to kill fruit flies? We've all been there wondering how to get rid of fruit flies.  Fruit flies in the kitchen.  Fruit flies in the bathroom.  Fruit flies buzzing around everywhere in your home.   It's a frustrating problem that happens to everyone at one time or another.  If you are a fresh fruit and produce lover you certainly know what I mean. How to Kill Fruit Flies with Two Ingredients Those pesky little buggers can often be brought into your home on the vegetables and fruit you buy. You don't have to tolerate the annoyance.  This homemade fruit fly trap is one I have been using for many years and it works every time. 
1 comment
Read more

Easy Chicken Parmesan-A Make Ahead Freezer Dinner

Donna Urso
Chicken Parmesan is a favorite dinner in the Just One Donna house because it is a delicious dish that can satisfy your cravings for Italian food. It's also easy to make at home with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry.  But what if you don't have time to cook on a busy weeknight? Don't worry, you can make Chicken Parmesan ahead of time and freeze it for later. I like to prepare Chicken Parmesan to have on hand in my freezer for those busy weeknights when we might be tempted to head to a restaurant instead of eating at home.  How to Make Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Busy Nights This post contains affiliate links.  I receive a small compensation when you shop using these links Easy Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Dinner Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chicken Pa
Post a Comment
Read more

DIY Cheap and Effective Rug Cleaning

Donna Urso
Using area rugs throughout your house help to make your home feel warm and inviting.  Area rugs help absorb noise and add pops of color to complement your decor.  How do you keep rugs clean and smelling fresh? It can be a challenge. While regular vacuuming is important, you'll want to deep clean your rugs periodically, especially if you own pets. Here's a cheap and effective rug-cleaning method I use. How to Clean Your Area Rugs (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience ) Cheap and Effective Rug Cleaning This cleaning method works well for me with both wool rugs and polypropylene rugs. I've cleaned polypropylene rugs like I have in my front entry hall and large, 8 x 10-foot wool rugs like I have throughout the rooms in my house.
Post a Comment
Read more