As the holiday season comes near, we all crave delicious and simple treats. For me, the smell of almond cookies brings back happy memories of my childhood. My grandmother would spend hours making her secret recipe, filling our home with warmth.

These memories inspire me to keep this tradition alive. I’m thrilled to share this easy Italian almond cookie recipe with you.

A rustic Italian kitchen with a wooden table, freshly baked almond cookies arranged on a delicate porcelain plate, soft golden-brown color of the cookies, scattered whole almonds and dusting of powdered sugar around, warm natural lighting creating a cozy ambiance, a vintage rolling pin and baking ingredients subtly visible in the background.

Key Takeaways

• This recipe uses just 6 simple ingredients, making it a beginner-friendly baking project.
• The cookies are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, appealing to a wider health-conscious audience.
• With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and a bake time of 15 minutes, these cookies can be whipped up quickly for any occasion.
• The almond flour in the recipe adds a delightful nutty flavor and chewy texture to the cookies.
• These Italian almond cookies can be stored for up to 7 days, making them a convenient and long-lasting treat.

What Makes These Almond Cookies Special

These almond extract cookies are a true delight for the senses. They have a light and fluffy texture, thanks to powdered sugar. This makes them melt in your mouth. The cookies also have a distinct almond flavor from the extract and chopped almonds in the dough.

The result is a crispy almond cookie that’s perfect with a cup of tea or as a holiday treat. Plus, you can customize them with different add-ins or toppings to match your taste.

“Ricciarelli cookies are a classic almond cookie from Siena, Tuscany, and have been made since the Renaissance.”

These traditional Italian almond cookies, known as Ricciarelli, are loved during Christmas in Italy. The recipe and preparation, including resting the dough overnight and chilling it for at least 12 hours, ensure the perfect texture and flavor.

Crispy almond cookies arranged on a rustic wooden table, golden brown edges, sprinkled with slivered almonds, soft light highlighting their texture, a cozy kitchen background with baking tools and ingredients in soft focus.

Each almond extract cookie has about 101 calories, 11g of carbs, 3g of protein, and 6g of fat. They’re a delightful treat without the guilt. And, they’re naturally gluten-free, making them good for those with dietary restrictions.

Essential Ingredients and Substitutions

Making the perfect almond cookies starts with the right ingredients. You’ll need almond flour or meal, powdered sugar, eggs (or flax eggs for vegans), almond extract, and vanilla extract.

Key Base Ingredients

• Almond flour or meal: This gives the cookies their almond taste and texture. Choose finely ground almond flour or coarser almond meal for different textures.
• Powdered sugar: Known as confectioners’ sugar, it makes the cookies tender and sweet.
• Eggs or flax eggs: Eggs help the dough stick together. Flax eggs are great for vegan cookies.
• Almond extract: A few drops add a strong almond smell and taste.
• Vanilla extract: It adds a nice touch to the almond flavors.

Optional Add-ins and Toppings

Want to make your almond cookies special? Try adding these:

• Sliced almonds: They add a crunchy, pretty touch on top.
• Chocolate chips: Mixing in chocolate chips creates a tasty combination.
• Other nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts can be added too.
• Cream of tartar: A little bit gives the cookies a subtle tang.

With these ingredients and add-ins, you can make many different almond cookie flavors. Plus, many recipes can be made gluten-free or vegan.

“Delicious freshly baked almond cookies made with almond flour, arranged on a rustic wooden table, surrounded by scattered raw almonds and a small bowl of almond flour, soft warm lighting highlighting the golden-brown texture of the cookies.”

Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed

To make delicious italian bakery treats and italian holiday cookies, you need some basic tools. Here’s what you’ll need for a great cookie-making experience:

• A large mixing bowl for combining the ingredients
• A hand mixer or stand mixer to effectively blend the dough
• A kitchen scale for precise ingredient measurements
• Baking sheets lined with parchment paper for shaping and baking the cookies
• A food processor or blender to finely chop the almonds
• A cookie scoop or tablespoon for portioning the dough
• A cooling rack to allow the baked cookies to cool properly

The recipe for these italian bakery treats and italian holiday cookies has a long history. Each biscuit needs 30 grams of dough. Baking each biscuit for 6 minutes makes about 15 cookies per batch.

These italian bakery treats and italian holiday cookies are gluten-free. They’re perfect for those who can’t eat gluten. The dough includes 300 grams of Almond Meal, 360 grams of Icing Sugar, and 30 grams of Honey. Using almond and vanilla extracts adds to the nutty flavor, showing the importance of quality ingredients.

For storing these cookies, use airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Freezing is also a good option to keep them fresh. With the right tools, you can make these traditional italian bakery treats and italian holiday cookies at home.

Italian Almond Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation Steps

Making traditional italian sweets like italian desserts is fun. First, heat your oven to 350°F (325°F for convection). In a big bowl, mix 2 egg yolks, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ cup of white sugar.

Then, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Keep mixing until it’s smooth.

Use a tablespoon to make dough balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can also add sliced almonds on top for extra beauty.

Baking Process

Put the cookies in the oven for 15 to 17 minutes. They should be dry on top and golden around the edges. Let them cool on the sheet.

After cooling, dust them with powdered sugar. This makes them even more delicious.

This recipe makes about 38 cookies. Each cookie has 104 calories. Share these tasty traditional italian sweets and italian desserts with loved ones!

Tips for Perfect Cookie Texture

To get the perfect texture for your biscotti or amaretti cookies, follow these tips. First, don’t overmix the dough. This can make it tough and dense. Mix the ingredients gently until they just come together.

Also, use room temperature ingredients. This helps them mix better and makes the cookies softer and more even.

When baking, don’t overbake your cookies. They will continue to cook after you take them out of the oven. For a soft center, take them out when the edges start to brown.

If you want them crisper, bake for a bit longer. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before handling. This helps them keep their shape and texture.

By following these tips, you’ll make delicious, perfectly textured biscotti and amaretti cookies. They’ll impress everyone you share them with.

FAQ

What makes these Italian almond cookies unique?

These Italian almond cookies are special because they’re light and fluffy. This is thanks to using powdered sugar instead of regular sugar. They also have a strong almond taste from almond extract and chopped almonds.

The cookies are crispy on the outside and soft inside. They’re great for tea time or as a holiday treat.

What are the key ingredients in this almond cookie recipe?

The main ingredients are almond flour or meal, powdered sugar, and eggs (or flax eggs for vegans). You’ll also need almond extract and vanilla extract. Almond flour can be swapped with almond meal for a different texture.

Can I customize these almond cookies with additional ingredients?

Yes, you can make these cookies your own. Try adding sliced almonds, chocolate chips, or other nuts. You can also add cream of tartar for a tangy taste.

What kitchen tools and equipment are needed to make these almond cookies?

You’ll need a big mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer, and a kitchen scale. Baking sheets, parchment paper, and a food processor or blender are also important. A cookie scoop or tablespoon helps with portioning, and a cooling rack is useful for cooling.

How do I achieve the perfect texture for these almond cookies?

To get the right texture, don’t overmix the dough. Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature. This helps them mix better.

Don’t overbake the cookies. They’ll keep cooking as they cool. For softer cookies, take them out when the edges start to brown. For crispier ones, bake a bit longer.

Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. This helps keep their shape and texture.