Italian Almond Cookies

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.  She made a batch and shared them with me and I had to have the recipe.  We are huge almond fans at our house.

Ingredients Needed

• 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

• 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.

Checm out more of my favorite almond flavored 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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5 from 4 votes

Italian Almond Cookies

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes

Almond cookies are full of flavor and have a wonderful French macaron texture you will love.

serves: 36 small cookies

Prep:20 minutes minutes

Cook:12 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total:32 minutes minutes

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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:

Calories: 38kcal (2%) Carbohydrates: 6g (2%) Fat: 1g (2%) Sodium: 3mg Potassium: 17mg Sugar: 5g (6%) Calcium: 8mg (1%) Iron: 0.1mg (1%)

* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:Italian

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