Description
Delicate Italian pistachio amaretti cookies blend almond and pistachio flavors into melt-in-your-mouth confections. Crisp exterior and chewy center invite you to savor these traditional Mediterranean treats with a delightful nutty essence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (100 grams) almond flour or very finely ground almonds, sifted
- 1 cup (100 grams) pistachio flour or very finely ground pistachios, sifted
- 2 large egg whites (60 grams)
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon pistachio extract
Seasoning:
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Confectioners’ sugar, as needed
Instructions
- Prepare pistachio and almond flours by spreading them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, toasting in the oven at low temperature until completely dry and fragrant.
- Allow toasted nut flours to cool completely, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine sugar and salt with the cooled nut flours, whisking thoroughly to create an even mixture.
- Whip egg whites and lemon juice in a separate bowl until soft, billowy peaks form.
- Gently fold whipped egg whites and pistachio extract into the dry ingredients, creating a cohesive, slightly tacky dough.
- Dust hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking and use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough into uniform balls.
- Roll each dough portion into smooth spheres, then generously coat with additional powdered sugar.
- Arrange cookies on a double-layered, parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring ample spacing between each cookie.
- Bake in a preheated oven until cookie tops develop delicate cracks and bottoms turn a pale golden hue.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest briefly before transferring to wire cooling racks to achieve complete cooling and optimal texture.
Notes
- Double-stack cookie sheets ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning, creating perfectly textured cookies.
- Toasting nut flours beforehand intensifies their natural flavors and removes excess moisture, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Whipping egg whites to soft peaks creates the light, delicate texture that defines traditional amaretti cookies.
- Powdered sugar coating provides a classic crackled appearance and adds a subtle sweetness to each bite.
- Gentle baking at a low temperature helps maintain the cookies’ signature soft interior while achieving a delicate crisp exterior.
- Letting cookies cool slightly before transferring prevents breaking and helps them set properly, maintaining their delightful texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20
- Calories: 128
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 0.01g
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg