Amaretti

Amaretti are delicious Italian cookies, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, originating from Lombardy. They are traditionally made with almonds, sugar, and egg white. Here is the recipe to prepare these exquisite little sweets.

Ingredients

• 200 g of peeled almonds
• 200 g of granulated sugar
• 100 g of powdered sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon of almond extract (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Preparation

1. Begin by finely chopping the almonds in a mixer with half of the granulated sugar until you get a rather fine flour.
2. Whip the egg whites until stiff and, gradually, add the remaining granulated sugar, continuing to whip until you obtain a glossy and well-formed meringue.
3. Gently fold in the almond flour with the granulated sugar and powdered sugar into the meringue, taking care not to deflate the mixture. If you wish, add a teaspoon of almond extract to enhance the flavor.
4. Preheat the oven to 170 °C (340 °F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
5. Using a teaspoon or a piping bag, form little mounds of dough on the baking trays, keeping a certain distance between them, as they will tend to expand during baking.
6. If you wish, you can lightly dust the amaretti with some powdered sugar before baking.
7. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and slightly crispy.
8. Remove the amaretti from the oven and let them cool completely before removing them from the parchment paper.

Did you know?

According to tradition, the name “amaretto” comes from the Lombard word “amar,” which means “bitter,” due to the slightly bitter taste of the bitter almonds used in the oldest recipes. The addition of sugar and the switch to sweet almonds have helped make the flavor more appealing to everyone.

To store them, place them in a tin box; if well sealed, they can keep for weeks. Enjoy them with a good coffee or pair them with a sweet dessert wine.