AMARETTI: THE INCREDIBLE ITALIAN ALMOND COOKIES

These small pastries from the Gallarate (Varese) area have a history of more than 100 years.

They belong to a type of dry pastry and, in general, macaroons are small crunchy cookies with a soft center and a balanced contrast of sweet and bitter flavors.

There are three well-known types of macaroons in Lombardy: Nocciolino di Canzo, Amaretto di Saronno, and Amaretto di Gallarate, the latter made with a mixture of sweet and bitter almonds.

History of Amaretti

Amaretti have Italian origins, dating back to the Renaissance.

Known for their unique combination of sweet and bitter almond flavors, they have become a staple of Italian confectionery.

Their name, derived from amaro (meaning “bitter” in Italian), emphasizes the traditional use of bitter almonds.

Today, amaretti are appreciated all over the world as a symbol of the Italian confectionery tradition.

Cooking Overview

Servings: 6

Preparation Time: 12 hours (including resting time)

Baking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups of powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups of sweet almonds
• ¾ cup of bitter almonds
• 6 large egg whites
• ¼ tsp of baking powder
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

METHOD:

Step 1: Prepare the almond mixture.

1. Grind sweet and bitter almonds together with granulated sugar and a small amount of egg white in a food processor until finely ground.

Step 2: Beat the mixture

1. Transfer the almond mixture to a large bowl.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture for about 15 minutes until smooth.

Step 3: Add the powdered sugar and baking powder

1. Gradually add the powdered sugar while continuing to mix.
2. Slowly incorporate the remaining egg whites and baking powder until the mixture becomes soft and white.

Step 4: Form the amaretti

1. Fill a pastry bag with a smooth tip and pour small mounds of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Allow the amaretti to rest in a dry place for 12 hours.

Step 5: Add the finishing touches

1. Dust the amaretti with powdered sugar.
2. Gently pinch the surface with your fingers to create the characteristic rippled texture.

Step 6: Baking

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Bake the amaretti for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. Allow them to cool before serving.

Tips and tricks for perfect amaretti

1. Use high-quality almonds: To achieve authentic flavor, opt for fresh, sweet and bitter high-quality almonds.
2. Achieve a rippled texture: The pinching step is critical to achieve the traditional look, so don’t skip it!
3. Restingtime is critical: Letting cookies rest for 12 hours improves their texture and flavor.
4. Control the baking time: Monitor the baking carefully to avoid excessive browning.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)