Crispy & Nutty Almond Meringue Cookies (Amaretti)
Homemade Italian Dessert: Almond Meringue Cookie (Amaretti) Recipe
Here’s a simple recipe for Italian Amaretti cookies, perfect for home baking! Enjoy the delightful crunch and rich almond flavor of these traditional Italian treats. They’re wonderful with coffee or tea, and make a beautiful homemade gift.
Almond Meringue Cookie Ingredients
- 2 egg whites (approx. 60-70g)
- 200g finely ground almond flour
- 100g granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp powdered sugar (for coating)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, precisely weigh your egg whites. Accurate ingredient ratios are key to successful Italian Amaretti cookies.
Step 2
Place the egg whites in a bowl and whip with an electric mixer or whisk for about 2-3 minutes until frothy. Gradually add the granulated sugar in 3-4 additions, continuing to whip for about 5 more minutes until stiff peaks form.
Step 3
Whip the meringue until it is stiff and holds firm peaks when the whisk is lifted. Be careful not to over-whip, as this can cause the meringue to separate.
Step 4
Gently fold the sifted almond flour into the meringue using a spatula with an ‘in-and-out’ motion (like drawing the number 11). Avoid overmixing, which can deflate the meringue and cause the cookies to spread too much. Cover the mixed dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. This will firm up the dough, making it easier to shape.
Step 5
Sift the powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. This will be used to coat the cookies.
Step 6
Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Use a scoop (about 1.5-2 cm in diameter) to portion the dough into uniform balls. If you don’t have a scoop, a spoon works well too. Place the dough balls onto the sifted powdered sugar.
Step 7
Gently roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar to coat it evenly. You can lightly tap off any excess sugar.
Step 8
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the coated dough balls onto the sheet, leaving some space between them. Lightly dampen your fingertip with water and gently press down on each cookie to flatten it slightly (about 1 cm high). This helps the cookies spread nicely while baking.
Step 9
Your pressed cookie dough will look something like this. The powdered sugar coating not only looks appealing but also adds a pleasant texture.
Step 10
Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
Step 11
Once baked, carefully remove the Amaretti cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Your crispy and nutty almond meringue cookies are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
