Amaretti biscuits – How to make Italian almond cookies

Make your own version of amaretti, the famous Italian almond biscuits (cookies). In Italy bitter almonds are used, but sweet almonds can be substituted successfully.

 

 

Ingredients

 

• 175 grams ground almonds (1 ½ cup)
• 225 grams caster sugar (1 cup)
• 2 egg whites
• 2.5 ml almond extract (½ tsp) or 5 ml vanilla extract (1 tsp)
• icing sugar for dusting
• almond flakes for garnish (optional)

 

How to make it 

 

1. Mix half of the almonds with half of the sugar.
2. Beat the egg whites by using an electric mixer until they form soft peaks. Sprinkle half of the remaining sugar over them and continue beating until stiff peaks are formed. Gently fold in the remaining sugar, the almond or vanilla extract and the almonds.
3. Spoon the almond mixture into a pastry bag with a smooth nozzle. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Dust the paper lightly with flour unless you use silicone mat.
4. Pipe out the mixture in rounds the size of a walnut. Sprinkle lightly with the icing sugar or almond flakes if you using and leave to stand for 2 hours. Near the end of this time, turn the oven and preheat to 180°C/350°F.
5. Bake the amaretti for 15 minutes, or until light golden. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. 
6. When completely cool, the cookies may be stored in an airtight container.

 

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