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An easy and delicious Italian Almond Cookie recipe that makes unforgettable almond cookies with a French macaron like texture.
One of the things I love most about the holidays are cookies. Although I bake cookies all year round, during the holidays I tend to take it up a notch or two in my cookie baking. And today’s recipe for Italian Almond cookies is not your average cookie.
A good friend of mine first had these cookies at a wedding she attended and she came home raving about them. Â She made a batch and shared them with me and I had to have the recipe. Â We are huge almond fans at our house.
Cookie Ingredients
- almond paste
- powdered sugar
- sugar
- large egg whites room temperature
- inch of salt
- slivered almonds for sprinkling
What is Almond Paste?
Almond paste is usually easily found a the grocery store in the baking section. It is made from ground almonds or almond meal and sugar in equal quantities. The paste has small amounts of oil, egg and cream that acts as a binder. It is similar to marzipan, but has a coarser texture.
Italian Macarons
This cookie has the same texture has a French macaron. It is a bit crispy on the outside but chewy on the inside. Sometimes they are even called Italian Macarons. I love the chewiness of the cookie and the crunch that the slivered almonds on top give it. There is lots of good flavor and texture going on all at the same time.
How to Make Almond Cookies
The process is fairly easily. These cookies are best made in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer.
- Beat the almond paste with the paddle attachment on your stand mixer until it forms small pea sized pieces. Or you can use your hands and break it up into small pieces.
- Add in sugar and mix until small pieces will form.
- Add in egg whites and beat for about 5 minutes. This will help them puff as they bake.
- Fill a piping bag with a large round tip with the almond cookie batter.
- Pipe one inch circles about one inch apart onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
- Wet your finger and use it to smooth down the little tip that forms when you pipe.
- Sprinkle the cookie with some slivered almonds
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until they turn golden brown and start to crackle around the edges.
- Cool cookies completely on the parchment paper.
How to Store Meringue Cookies
Be sure to store the cookies in an airtight container so that they keep their edges crisp and chewiness in the middle. I don’t find that they freeze well. They are a cookie that is best enjoyed a day or two from baking.
These cookies are delicious. They are a nice, light cookie and they practically melt in your mouth!
These Italian Almond Cookies would make a perfect addition to any holiday cookie plate you are putting together this season.
For some other almond goodness check out these recipes.
- Almond Torte
- Almond Sugar Cookies
- Toffee Almond Cookies with Browned Butter Icing
- White Texas Sheet Cake
- Almond Bars
- Meltaway Cookies
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Italian Almond Cookie Recipe
Italian Almond Cookies
Ingredients
- 6 oz. tube of almond paste
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 large egg whites room temperature
- pinch of salt
- Slivered almonds for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a mixer place almond paste and blend on low until pea (or smaller) sized pieces form. Approx. 2 minutes
- Add sugar slowly and blend on low until crumbs are smaller about 2 minutes
- Add egg whites in three steps blending well after each addition
- Mix on high speed for 4-5 minutes (set a timer, this step makes them fluffy after baking)
- Fill a pastry bag with batter using a large round tip
- Pipe cookies onto a parchment covered baking sheet.
- Make them about 1 inch in size and place 1 inch apart.
- Using a damp fingertip, smooth out the top.
- Sprinkle with slivered almonds.
- Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and edges begin to crack.
- Cool completely on the cookie sheet.
Nutrition Facts:
raquel dering says
I am glad I found your recipe,my son came home with some cookies he bought for 90 cents each,loved them and asked me if I could bake one like it, he thought it was French forgot to ask the name,it reminded me of the French macaron which I have mastered after a lot of failures,so I went on line and put in almond cookies,i found a lot of pictures and recipes,after a lot of reading and seen your photo,i said bingo this is it,thanks,will be making my almond paste and try your Italian macaron.thank you again
Leigh Anne says
Raquel, So glad you found the recipe! Enjoy!!
Catherine Hannigan says
Where do you find almond paste?
Leigh Anne says
The baking aisle at the grocery store usually has it.
Catherine Hannigan says
Thank you