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Chewy Authentic Italian Amaretti Cookies

Chewy Authentic Italian Amaretti Cookies

dana vento
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 41 minutes
Course Recipes
Cuisine dessert
Servings 32
Calories 49 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Large Egg Whites if medium eggs use 4
  • 3/8 tsp cream of tartar or you could use lemon juice but you need a different measurement
  • 1/8 Tsp Salt
  • 1 1/2 C Finely Ground Sugar mill it (transitioning granulated to powder-like)
  • 3 Cups + 1 Tablespoon of Almond Flour not almond meal
  • 2 Tsp Almond Extract
  • A teaspoon of Baking Powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 2 Tablespoons of Amaretto Liqueur
  • Topping Before Baking Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons of milled granulated sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons of Powdered Sugar
  • 2 small rimmed plates for rolling in

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325° F
  • Prepare baking trays with silicone baking mats.
  • Now prepare rimmed trays with each sugar and set aside.
  • In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder,
  • To Mixer, stand bowl combine egg whites and tartar sauce.
  • Mix to stiff, without over-mixing.
  • Once egg whites are stiff it's time to add in the other ingredients by hand.
  • You will be folding in, sugar, salt, almond extract, Amaretto, and flour mixture.
  • Using a rubber scraper initially to incorporate all ingredients.
  • Then create a mound.
  • Using a teaspoon, create a scoop and place in your hand, rolling to a 1" ball.
  • Take each ball and roll quickly and lightly through sugar mixtures.
  • First into the very light milled sugar, then into the powdered sugar.
  • Place each ball onto the tray, spacing about 1" apart and lighting depressing ball into a slightly pressed cookie.
  • Just lightly press on each, enough that the cookie will crack while baking.
  • Place tray on the bottom rack, and allow it to bake without OPENING the oven to prevent temperature loss.
  • Bake for 20-24 minutes, the tops will crack further and may appear moist, but the bottoms will be just very lightly brown, take them out.
  • Allow these amaretti to SIT On the silicone matted baking tray for at least 5 minutes to let them set up.
  • *OPTIONAL: For those that prefer an all crunchy cookie, let them bake 5 minutes past this timing.
  • Next transfer cookies to the cooling tray for at least 15 minutes.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
  • I doubt they will last that long.

Notes

Chewy Authentic Italian Amaretti Cookies & Their Batter

You must whip the eggs whites for about 7 minutes to get them to a peak. 
Stiff, but not over-whipped is key to this recipe. 
Yes, I did use alcohol, you do not have to use it in your recipe. 

Sugar And Process for Italian Amaretti Cookies Chewy Authentic Italian Amaretti Cookies

Even as a pro-baker, I don't keep a powdery-like granulated sugar in my home. 
Creating a powder-like sugar that I use for quick coating (the cookies I make) is important.
I make it on demand always for recipes and honestly, this is ONE you must try it on.
But I also use this sugar to make the cookie.
The result of this milled sugar is a lighter cookie.
Why? The milled longer sugar is powdery (not CONFECTIONER'S Powder) and that results in it dissolving more quickly. 
Because there are just a few recipes that really need this  (at least the ones I bake) and I can make my own and I do always. 
Just toss the sugar amount you need into a coffee mill (that does not have any leftover taste or is reserved just for baking). Chewy Authentic Italian Amaretti Cookies
Alternatively, a food processor can do this. 
You are taking the sugar from more granular to a more powder-like consistency and it's fast and easy.