Lemon Amaretti

Lemon amaretti are a delightful twist on the traditional amaretti, which usually are flavored with bitter almonds. This lemon variant is fresh and fragrant, perfect for a summer treat or to be served at the end of a meal with coffee. Here is the recipe to make them.

Ingredients

• 200 g of almond flour
• 200 g of powdered sugar
• Grated zest of 1 organic lemon
• 2 egg whites
• 1 pinch of salt
• Granulated sugar for rolling the amaretti
• A bit of powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 170 °C and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mix the almond flour with the powdered sugar and grated lemon zest.

3. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they are very firm.

4. Gently fold the whipped whites into the almond mixture, using a spatula and movements from the bottom up so as not to deflate the mixture.

5. Once the mixture is homogeneous, take small portions of the dough (about a teaspoon) and form balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar, then place them on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake the amaretti in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are lightly golden.

7. Once baked, let them cool completely on the baking sheet before removing them. If desired, you can dust the amaretti with additional powdered sugar before serving.

Fun Facts

Amaretti, whose name comes from the bitterness of the almonds used, are traditional Italian sweets, particularly from Lombardy and Piedmont. These biscuits are known and appreciated all over the world and are perfect to give as a gift or to serve during the holidays or special occasions. Their external crunchiness and soft heart make them irresistible, and the addition of lemon zest turns them into a true summer delight.