• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Good Hearted Woman logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Comfort Food
    • Cooking Basics
    • Condiments
    • German Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Sourdough
    • Snacks
    • Sweets
    • 30-Minute Meals
  • Cozy Living
    • Arts & Crafts
    • For Music Lovers
    • Food Holidays
  • US Travel
    • One Day in...
    • Pacific
    • Rocky Mountains
    • Southwest
    • The South
    • Hikes Near & Far
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cozy Living
  • Road Trips
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cozy Living
    • Road Trips
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Sweets

    Soft & Chewy Italian Amaretti Cookies

    June 12, 2015 • Updated: September 12, 2022 • by Renée B. • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe
    Small plate with a stack of six cookies, plus one on the side. Pin overlay reads: Amaretti - Italian Macaron Cookies

    These soft, chewy Italian amaretti cookies are simple, easy, and bursting with big almond flavor. A classic Christmas cookie, they are perfect for the holidays.

    Small plate with a stack of six cookies, plus two cookies on the side.
    Jump to:
    • What's the Story Behind this Recipe?
    • Why You Will Love this Recipe
    • How to Make Italian Macarons
    • FAQs & Expert Tips
    • More Cookie Recipes
    • Soft & Chewy Italian Amaretti Cookies

    What's the Story Behind this Recipe?

    Some years ago, I went on a girlfriends getaway. One of our group, Beth, brought these amazing almond cookies, and after the first bite, I was begging for the recipe.

    As best as I can figure out, Beth's recipe is based on King Arthur Flour's Almond Cloud Cookies recipe; however, her version cuts the sugar in half, resulting in a subtly sweet cookie with a strong almond punch. (Half the sugar means you can eat twice as many, right?)

    These cookies aren't flashy: they don't need to be, because they are amazingly delicious. Enjoy!

    Why You Will Love this Recipe

    There are many variations of amaretti cookies around the world. Most traditional recipes fall into two basic categories: soft and chewy, or crisp and crunchy. This amaretti recipe falls into the first category and most closely resembles di Sassello amaretto - an almond macaron with a chewy outside and a soft, marzipan-like interior.

    Less sugar and four kinds of almond flavoring in this recipe make for a deliciously chewy, gluten-free, yolk-free almond cookie that is bursting with flavor.

    Amaretti cookies are a classic Christmas cookie, perfect for the holidays. Easy and inexpensive to make, the ingredient list for these Italian macarons is short, simple, and big on almond flavor.

    How to Make Italian Macarons

    ★ Almond Paste: Almond paste can be found in most grocery stores; usually in the baking section near the pie fillings. You can also make almond paste at home, but we haven't tried that yet.

    Box of almond paste, almond extract, and whipped egg whites.

    Preheat oven to 325°F | 165°C. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

    In a stand mixer or food processor, blend the almond paste, sugar, and salt until crumbly.

    In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until very frothy. (Don’t beat long enough to form peaks.)

    Gradually add almond extract, bitter almond oil, and beaten egg whites to the almond paste mixture.

    Soft cookie dough in mixing bowl, with beater.

    Using a small scoop, form cookies and place on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle cookies lightly with confectioners' sugar and sliced almonds.

    Powdered sugar sprinkled onto scooped cookie dough on baking sheet.

    Using three fingers, press indentations into the center of each cookie. (This keeps them from puffing up too much during baking.)

    Cookies on a cookie sheet with sliced almonds on top, ready to bake.

    Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the very edges are just turning golden. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.

    Baked cookies cooling on a baking tray.

    FAQs & Expert Tips

    What is the difference between a macaron and a macaroon?

    Italian macarons (sometimes called French macaroons, apparently just to confuse everyone) are a delicate meringue and almond-based cookie. Like a French macaron, Italian macarons can be sandwiched with a ganache or jam filling, but most often they are eaten plain, without a filling.
     
    Macaroons are also made with egg whites, but they are a coconut-based cookie.  
    Macaroons can be distinguished by their mounded shape, dense coconut-packed interior, and chewy texture.

    Small plate with a stack of six cookies, plus one on the side.

    More Cookie Recipes

    • Mrs. Obinger's Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
    • Flourless Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
    • Homemade Fortune Cookies (+Printable Fortunes & Takeout Box)
    • Classic Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies

    For more recipes and cozy living tips, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for all of the latest updates.

    Small plate with a stack of six cookies, plus two cookies on the side.
    5 from 1 vote

    Soft & Chewy Italian Amaretti Cookies

    These soft, chewy Italian macarons are simple, easy, and bursting with big almond flavor. A classic Christmas cookie, they are perfect for the holidays.
    Print Pin Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
    Course: Dessert, Sweets
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegetarian
    Prep Time:15 minutes
    Cook Time:25 minutes
    Total Time:40 minutes
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 72kcal
    Author: Renee
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 small cookie scoop
    • 1 Heavy Baking Sheet
    • 1 Parchment Paper or Silpat mat

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric
    Cookie Dough
    • 10 ounces almond paste
    • 2 large egg whites
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
    • ⅙ teaspoon extra-strong bitter almond oil
    Topping
    • confectioners sugar i.e., icing sugar
    • sliced almonds

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325°F | 165°C. Line baking pan with parchment paper.
    • In a stand mixer or food processor, blend the almond paste, sugar, and salt until crumbly.
    • In a separate mixing bowl, beat egg whites until very frothy. (Don’t beat long enough to form peaks.)
    • Gradually add almond extract, bitter almond oil, and beaten egg whites to the almond paste mixture.
    • Using a small cookie scoop, form cookies and place on prepared baking sheet.
      Sprinkle cookies lightly with confectioners' sugar and sliced almonds.
      Using three fingers, press indentations into the center of each cookie. (This keeps them from puffing up too much during baking.)
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the very edges are just turning golden.
      Remove from oven and allow to cool.

    Notes

    Almond paste can be found in most grocery stores; usually in the baking section near the pie fillings. You can also make almond paste at home.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 29mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

    More Desserts & Sweets

    • Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries
    • Cinnamon Roll Wreath (Danish Pastry Ring)
    • Orange Tea Ring (Danish Wreath)
    • Triple Ginger Pumpkin Pie
    464 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard

    About Renée B.

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Bea says

      June 17, 2015 at 4:51 pm

      I love almond and marzipan; these sound fantastic, easy and yay they are dairy-free. Pinned 🙂

      Reply
    2. Aubrie LeGault says

      June 12, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      Wow- best cookie he has ever had? I'll have to try them then. Plus I love almond anything.

      Reply
    3. beth says

      June 12, 2015 at 5:15 pm

      Thank you, both for the shout out ☺️, and for sharing this fan-freaking-tastic recipe! Although I *tried* to impress upon people in my own FB post several months ago, just how VERY good these cookies are, with your food blog, you will undoubtedly be able to reach far more people than I did, thereby making the world a happier place! Everyone, seriously, EVERYONE who has tried them when I've made them, has loved them. Texture is the BEST!

      Reply
    4. Monica Louie says

      June 12, 2015 at 4:44 pm

      These look so good! I like that they have less sugar in them and are gluten free too!!

      Reply
    5. chelsea @ the new wifestyle says

      June 12, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      absolutely agree that since it's half the sugar you can eat twice as much! i loooooove almond cookies so i'm definitely pinning this for later use 🙂

      Reply
    6. Ali says

      June 12, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      I love gluten free recipes that are meant to be gluten free. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    7. Danielle says

      June 12, 2015 at 9:15 am

      These look tasty! I bet they are excellent with coffee and/or tea... mmm! I have a friend who is allergic to just about everything under the sun, so I'm going to send this recipe to him because he's always looking for something to satisfy his sweet tooth. Thanks for sharing, cheers!

      Reply
    8. Pech says

      June 12, 2015 at 7:18 am

      5 stars
      Less sugar and more almond flavor, sold!!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Adorable middle-aged couple in forest setting. (i.e., Me & Mr B)

    Join me & Mr B for the best in home cooking and cozy living - from the beautiful Pacific Northwest and beyond.

    More about us →

    Follow Us

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    fresh recipes

    • Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries
    • Classic Hot Buttered Rum
    • Cinnamon Roll Wreath (Danish Pastry Ring)
    • Orange Tea Ring (Danish Wreath)
    • Team Colors 7 Layer Dip
    • Orange Spiced Cranberry Sauce

    game day eats

    • Team Colors 7 Layer Dip
    • Crispy Sauerkraut Fritters (Easy Air Fryer Recipe)
    • 20 Best Game Day Food Ideas
    • Sweet & Spicy Grilled Buffalo Wings
    • Cool Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip
    • Roasted Garlic Spinach Artichoke Dip

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Statement
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Follow

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Meet Me & Mr B

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 The Good Hearted Woman. All rights reserved.

    464 shares
    464 shares
    We Value Your Privacy
    To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}
    We Value Your Privacy
    We use cookies to make this website a better place. Cookies help to provide a more personalized experience and relevant advertising for you, and web analytics for us. To learn more about the different cookies we use, check out our Cookie Policy.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}
    We Value Your Privacy
    To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}
    We Value Your Privacy
    We use cookies to make this website a better place. Cookies help to provide a more personalized experience and relevant advertising for you, and web analytics for us. To learn more about the different cookies we use, check out our Cookie Policy.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}