Easy Italian Almond Paste Cookies (Italian Almond Macaroons) are moist and chewy on the inside, crispy and crunchy on the outside. Made with just a few ingredients, they’re super easy to make and naturally gluten-free.
These Italian Amaretti, also known as Pasticcini di mandorle or Almond Paste Macaroons, are fragrant with the flavor of almonds. They can be baked plain, decorated with almonds or maraschino cherries, drizzled with chocolate, or made into thumbprint cookies.
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The BEST Almond Paste Cookies Recipe– Why you’ll love these Italian Almond Macaroons
- Amazing almond flavor – one bite and you’ll be hooked!
- Easiest cookie EVER!
- Moist, chewy interiors
- Crispy, crunchy exteriors
- Keep for several days, ideal for making in advance
- The perfect holiday cookie
Ingredients in Italian Amaretti Cookies recipe with Almond Paste
- Almond Paste – Use my Easy Homemade Almond Paste recipe or store bought. Almond paste gives these Italian cookies their intense almond flavor and their chewy texture.
- Sugar
- Egg whites – Two large egg whites should weigh 60 grams. Using more or less will change the texture and spreading of the cookie. For best results, measure the egg whites.
- Almond extract or flavoring
- Sliced almonds - for pressing onto the dough balls. You can also use chopped sliced almonds.
How to make
Break up the almond paste into 1 inch pieces and put it in the bowl of a food processor. Add the sugar, salt, egg whites, and almond extract.
Process until a smooth paste forms. The dough will be wet and sticky, but you should be able to roll it into balls between your hands after it’s refrigerated.
Chill the dough for 1 hour or up to 3 days. Chilling isn’t absolutely necessary, but it does make the dough easier to work with and the cookies will have a more mounded shape if you do.
Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into 1 inch balls, about 25 grams each.
Press almond slices onto the sides of the cookie. The stickiness of the dough will help the nuts stick.
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake until the bottom edges are starting to turn golden, about 15-18 minutes. Don’t overbake.
Italian Almond Cookies Recipe Flavor Additions:
I haven’t added any extra flavors to this basic Italian Almond Paste Cookie recipe because I love to let the flavor of the almonds shine through. If you’d like to add a little extra flavor, however, here are some ideas:
- Orange zest
- Lemon zest
- Cinnamon
- Rose water
Italian Almond Macaroons Recipe Variations
Here’s the fun part! One cookie – so many variations!
- Chocolate Almond Macaroon - Drizzle the cookie with Nutella or melted chocolate
- Dip the cookie into Nutella or melted chocolate
- Roll the cookie in powdered sugar or chopped almonds instead of sliced almonds.
- Almond Paste Cookies with cherry - Make a thumbprint in the cookie dough ball before baking and place on a halved maraschino cherry
- Almond Paste Thumbprint Cookies - Make a thumbprint in the baked cookie immediately after removing from oven. Fill with Nutella or your favorite jam.
How to store
Store Almond Macaroons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Place sheets of wax paper or parchment between each of the layers.
How to freeze
Almond Macaroons can be frozen. Put in the freezer in a single layer until frozen, then transfer to a plastic freezer bag. Try to press out as much air as you can for the freshest cookie.
They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature. You can crisp them up in a 250° F oven for a few minutes.
Tips for Success:
- Measure the egg whites by weight – this recipe uses 60 grams of egg whites. If your egg whites are more than that, the dough will be stickier and will spread more during baking.
- If you don’t have a scale, be sure to use large eggs.
- If the dough is too sticky, use wet hands when rolling into balls. If necessary, add almond flour a spoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Don’t overbake. The cookies are done when they are starting to turn golden around the edges.
FAQs
Why did my Almond Cookies become hard?
- A longer baking time will result in a crunchy cookie. They also get harder over time after baking. For soft, chewy Almond Paste Cookies, bake just until the bottom edges start turning golden.
How do I make Almond Cookies with almond paste with no food processor?
- These Almond Cookies can be made with a stand or hand mixer. Mix the almond paste, sugar, and salt until it resembles corn meal. Then mix in the egg whites and almond extract.
How do I make Almond Paste Cookies without almond paste (From scratch using almonds)
- Make your own almond paste using whole blanched almonds, sliced or slivered almonds, or almond flour with my step by step recipe for Almond Paste.
How do I make Almond Macaroons without almond flour?
- As a substitute for almond flour in macaroons, you can use store bought almond paste (or whole, sliced, or slivered almonds to make your own paste).You can make the cookies without almond flour.
How do I make Almond Macaroons with almond flour?
- You can make Almond Macaroons with almond flour by making your own almond paste with almond flour.
Can I make Almond Macaroons with almond meal?
- Yes, just substitute the same weight of almond meal for the almonds in the almond paste recipe. Since almond meal is made from almonds that still have the skins on, it will be coarser with brown flecks.
MORE FAVORITE COOKIES TO LOVE:
- Italian Pignoli Cookies
- Slice and Bake Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Browned Butter Pecan Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Brown Butter Toffee Cookies
- Lemon White Chocolate Cookies
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Triple Chocolate Cookies
- Soft and Chewy Funfetti Cookies
Recipe
Italian Almond Paste Cookies (Almond Macaroons)
Ingredients
- 16 oz almond paste store bought or this almond paste recipe
- 1 cup sugar 198g
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg whites 60g, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Sliced almonds for rolling
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Break up the almond paste into 1 inch pieces and put it in the bowl of a food processor. Add the sugar, salt, egg whites, and almond extract and process until a smooth paste forms. The dough will be wet and sticky, but you will be able to roll it into balls between your hands.
- Chill the dough for 1 hour or up to 3 days.
- Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into 1 inch balls, about 25 grams each.
- Press almond slices onto the sides of the cookie. The stickiness of the dough will help the nuts stick.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake until the bottom edges are starting to turn golden, about 15-18 minutes. Don’t overbake.
- Cool on a rack.
- Optional: Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Makes about 27 cookies if the dough balls are 25 grams each.
- Don’t overbake or the cookies won’t be soft and chewy inside.
- The cookies with almond paste can also be made using a stand mixer or hand mixer. Mix the almond paste, sugar, and salt until crumbly. Then mix in the egg whites and almond extract.
- Chilling the dough isn’t absolutely necessary, however, when unchilled they will spread a little more during baking.
- If using store bought almond paste, well known brands such as Odense and Solo come in 7 and 8 ounce packages. Using 14-16 ounces in this recipe is fine.
Nutrition
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RevSusan
I made these cookies and they were scrumptious! Additional benefit: I had to learn how to use the tare function on my kitchen scale! I think next time I will use superfine sugar. Regular remains crunchy in the dough. I will also add a tablespoon of almond flour to keep the dough from being too wet and sticky, and I will roll them in chopped almonds. Almond slices had to be pressed in by hand which was very time-consuming. Worth the work though. I will make them again.
Kelly
So happy you liked them! Thanks for sharing!
MB
would have liked to know the oven temperature....350? 250? 400? you gave the time to bake but forgot the most important item - THE TEMPERATURE!!! I'll look elsewhere for my recipes.
Kelly
The temperature of 350 F is listed as the first step of the instructions.
katie
Scaling up: When choosing to scale up to double the batch, the amount of almond paste remains at 16 oz. Should it be 32?
Kelly
Hi Katie, yes the almond paste should double as well. Thanks for pointing that out!
Junko
I have been searching for the perfect almond macaroon recipe for a long time and have tried many recipes, but haven't been really satisfied with any. But I finally discovered the best one. These macaroons are delicious and easy to make, and I am a very picky baker. Thank you very much for sharing this recipe! My search is finally over!!!
Kelly
Thank you very much, Junko! You just made my day! So happy you like them!
Kim
My favorite cookies! Do you think the dough could be frozen before needing to bake? Just curious.
Kelly
Hi Kim, It should be able to be frozen before needing to bake. Since I haven't done this before, I would bring the dough balls to room temperature or a little cooler before baking.
Sue
These cookies are amazing! A new favorite in my family! I just love the crunchy outside, chewy inside. The flavor is out of this world! Yum!!!
Kelly
So happy you liked them, Sue!
Kristi Ribar
How do I get the exact ingredients. Love the directions and pictures, but. ...
Kelly
Hi Kristi, the ingredients and their measurments are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
One of my all time favorite cookies, especially enjoy them this time of the year. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Kelly
Thanks so much, Karen!
sherry
i love the taste of almond extract - that wonderful bitter almond flavour. these look great.
Kelly
It's so addicting! Thanks so much, Sherry!
David Scott Allen
These have been favorite cookies of mine for as long as I can remember. There was a bakery in Gloucester, Massachusetts, they had them and I tried to get him to share his with me for ages. He never showed the recipe, but I’m thankful that you did! I still have to try your homemade almond paste.
Kelly
The flavor and texture is addictive! Thanks so much, David!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Oh these almond cookies look and sound wonderful, and they definitely give me some holiday vibes, too! I've tried a similar recipe with pine nuts, so I know for sure this is absolutely delicious!
Kelly
Thanks so much, Ben!
Cookie Monster
As a cookie monster allow me to say "job well done", keep'em coming please.
Kelly
Thanks so much, Cookie Monster!
2pots2cook
Kelly carissima ! Of course, this is the best "part 2 " of how to use home made almond paste !!!! Amazing, tasty, seducing cookies, perfect for approaching holidays ! Thank you so much !
Kelly
They're wonderful! Thanks so much, Davorka!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I would love these - and they'd be a great addition to any Christmas box this season!
Kelly
Thanks so much, Katherine!
angiesrecipes
My husband's favourite holiday cookies!
Kelly
They're wonderful! Thanks so much, Angie!