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Home » Recipes » Desserts & Treats

Amaretti Biscuits

Published: Dec 20, 2019 · Modified: Aug 16, 2022 by Angela Allison · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Amaretti Biscuits using Amaretto Liqueur and almond flour makes the most delicious soft amaretti cookies! This traditional Italian cookie is so tasty and easy to make!

Soft Amaretti biscuits piled high on a countertop.

This recipe for amaretti biscuits are a far cry from the ones you buy in the store. Those hard sweet cookies have their purpose, like being ground to make the shell for my Amaretto Mascarpone Cheesecake, or dunked into hot coffee.

These cookies are pure bliss with its chewy and flavorful inside. They are not overly sweet and make the perfect cookies to have on hand for any occasion. For another delicious traditional Italian desserts, try this Tiramisu with Kahlua is an easy no-bake dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

Why this recipe works

If you’ve never had an amaretti cookie, it’s definitely something you need to try! These highly addicting treats are both crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.

What makes the biscuit so unique is the combination of almond flour and egg whites. They give the cookie a soft and a fluffy texture with a delicious almond flavor.

inside of an amaretti biscuit being held.

If you love soft, almond-flavored cookies, be sure to try these Almond Ricotta Cookies!

Amaretti Biscuits Ingredients

This recipe requires just a few ingredients, however all of them are essential for the perfect cookie. To make Amaretti Biscuits you will need:

  • Almond Flour – almond flour is necessary in this recipe. If you are making your own, be sure to grind the almonds into a flour-like consistency.
  • Sugar – regular granulated sugar works here.
  • Egg Whites – save the yolks for another recipe.
  • Cream of Tartar – you can substitute lemon juice in a pinch.
  • Almond Extract – gives that amazing almond flavor.
  • Amaretto Liqueur – this amplifies the almond flour but is not necessary if you don’t have it on hand.
  • Powdered Sugar – for rolling the cookies in.

Substitutions can be made on some of the ingredients. For instance, if you don’t have amaretto liqueur, you could just skip this ingredient and add ¼ teaspoon more almond extract.

As for the cream of tartar, this helps the egg whites form peaks and stay stiff. However, if you don’t have it on hand, you could substitute ¼ teaspoon of lemon juice to get the same effect.

cookies piled high on a counter with a bottle of amaretto and a cup of coffee behind them.

Almond flour is just ground up almonds. So if you can’t find almond flour in the store, you could make your own by grinding almonds in a food processor until it resembles a fine crumb. Note that almond flour is an essential ingredient for the cookies; all purpose flour cannot be substituted in its place.

Lastly, the cookie is rolled in powdered sugar before baking. Many recipes roll their cookies in regular sugar instead, which is a fine substitute if you’d like.

How to Make Amaretti Biscuits

This recipe requires few ingredients and is simple to put together and make ahead. Firstly, preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mats.

Next, whisk together the almond flour and sugar (step 1); set aside.

the first four steps in the process shots.

In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar until firm peaks form (step 2). To whisk, I like to use the single whisk attachment of my handheld mixer. Moreover, with it running on high, it only takes about 2 minutes to reach the desired texture.

Then, add in the almond extract and Amaretto liqueur and mix to just combine. Switch over to a spoon and mix the dry ingredients until a dough forms(step 3 and 4). Don’t worry about being gently with the egg whites either.

Lastly, scoop out the dough using a small cookie scoop, roll into a ball, then coat in powdered sugar. Then, place on your prepared cookie sheets leaving about an inch and half of room around each cookie.

balls of dough tossed in powdered sugar on a baking sheet.

Bake the cookies in the middle baking rack in the oven for about 25 minutes, or just until the bottoms start to turn a golden brown and the tops of the cookies start to crackle. Lastly, let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to cooling rack to cool completely.

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4 days. Prolong the life of the cookies by keeping them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Amaretti Biscuits on a white plate with amaretto in the background.

FAQs and Expert Tips

When making amaretti biscuits from scratch, be sure to follow these tips and tricks:

  • Use almond flour instead of almond meal.
  • Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form; that means when you pull up with a spoon the eggs form a peak that slightly falls rather than stays straight up.
  • Bake the cookies just until they start to turn lightly brown.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Are Amaretti Biscuits Gluten Free?

Amaretti cookies are made with almond flour instead of regular flour, making them a great option for gluten-free baking.

Are Amaretti Biscuits Soft?

Traditional homemade amaretti biscuits are soft and chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The store-bought amaretti cookies are crunchy like a biscotti and great for dunking coffee or grinding to make a crust for cheesecakes.

More Italian-Inspired Desserts

If you love Italian dessert recipes, then I have you covered! Be sure to check out these other delicious desserts, like my Orange Mascarpone Ciambella:

  • Italian Fig and almond cookies on a plate with fig jam in the background.
    Italian Thumbprint Cookies
  • overhead view showing the paradise candied lemon peel.
    Limoncello Ricotta Cake | Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Almond Ricotta cake with slice almonds and powdered sugar on top.
    Almond Ricotta Cake | Italian Dessert
  • Limoncello Ricotta Cookies on a plate with Limoncello liqueur.
    Limoncello Ricotta Cookies

Give this Amaretti Biscuits Recipe at try and be sure to comment below. Follow me on Facebook for more delicious and easy recipes. Enjoy!

Amaretti Cookies on a white plate with amaretto in the background.

Amaretti Biscuits

These traditional Italian cookies are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Made with Amaretto and almond flour, these simple cookies are a perfect treat anytime of the year.
5 from 31 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 107kcal
Author: Angela Allison
Cost: 8-10

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups almond flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large egg whites
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 tablespoon amaretto liqueur
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat; set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour and sugar; set aside.
  • In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, whisk the eggs whites and cream of tartar until they hold soft peaks. Whisk in the amaretto and almond extract to just combine.
  • Add dry ingredients to the egg mixture and use a spoon to stir until all ingredients are combined and a dough forms.
  • Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out 1 inch balls of the dough. Use your hands to roll the dough into a ball shape. Then roll the ball in powdered sugar just to coat. Place the cookie on the baking sheet leaving about an inch and a half between each cookie.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are lightly golden and the tops of the cookies start to crack. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet before moving to wire rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

These delicious cookies can be made ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature for four days. You can freeze in an airtight container for up to a month. 
If you don’t have amaretto liqueur, you can substitute ¼ almond extract for it, or omit it altogether. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments

  1. Lauren

    December 11, 2022 at 8:02 am

    5 stars
    These cookies are incredible, moist, and full of flavor. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Angela Allison

      December 13, 2022 at 11:59 am

      So happy you loved them!

      Reply
  2. Joni Peth

    December 04, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    I found these a little too sweet for my taste. Loved the texture though. Next time I will reduce the sugar and see what happens.

    Reply
  3. Nancy kachenko

    July 27, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    5 stars
    Looks very yummy 💖💖💖

    Reply
  4. Helene

    April 23, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to make and so delicious

    Reply
  5. maryanne

    May 20, 2021 at 12:59 pm

    5 stars
    This is THE BEST amaretti cookie recipe I’ve ever made!! Rave reviews from all of our guests!

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      May 20, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      glad you all loved them 🙂

      Reply
  6. Biana

    May 20, 2021 at 12:40 pm

    5 stars
    I have bought amaretti cookies in the past. It’s great to see that I can make them myself as well. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      May 20, 2021 at 12:59 pm

      These are so much better than store-bought… enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Wanda

    May 20, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    5 stars
    I always buy these cookies at our local Italian store. Excited to try making them!

    Reply
  8. Sara Welch

    May 20, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    5 stars
    Whipped up a batch of these this afternoon and they were exactly what I needed to cure my sweet tooth! Easily, a new favorite treat!

    Reply
  9. Emily Liao

    May 20, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    5 stars
    This was my first time making amaretti cookies and they turned out so delicious!

    Reply
  10. Maria

    September 24, 2020 at 4:55 am

    5 stars
    Amaretti cookies uses simple ingredients that makes a good combination. These cookies and best paired with coffee or tea during snack time or tea time! This will surely be a hit!

    Reply
    • Andrea

      April 24, 2022 at 1:30 pm

      I’ve made these cookies dozens of times since finding this recipe, and they always get rave reviews. In my opinion and experience, the lemon juice gave me a better result than cream of tarter, but this is a forgiving recipe that wins over my family time and time again. (And hey, if a little extra almond extract or amaretto drips into the mix, I see no harm in that.) Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
  11. Andrea Metlika

    September 23, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    My mom’s best friend used to bring these to parties. They are so good and I can’t wait to make them.

    Reply
  12. Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious

    September 23, 2020 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    Oh I love Amarettie cookies! A classic Italian dessert. Pinning these for later. Tank you!

    Reply
  13. Jamie

    September 23, 2020 at 11:28 am

    5 stars
    These cookies are so good, they’re addictive. I made them over the weekend and it was gone in no time. Thank you!

    Reply
  14. Linda

    May 31, 2020 at 6:13 am

    What can I substitute for the amaretto liqueur?

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      May 31, 2020 at 6:18 am

      You can just omit it altogether

      Reply
  15. Mike

    January 07, 2020 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious cookie and very easy to make. Soft and chewy interior with a slight crunch to the exterior, all with the perfect amount of almond flavor. Question about the egg whites..one direction says whisk to soft peaks while another description says firm peaks. Does it matter? Thank you for sharing such a great recipe.

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      January 07, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Hi Mike. So happy you loved the cookie! It’s one of my absolute favorites. Either soft or firm peaks work for this recipe. What you are looking for is the peak to hold it’s base shape. Whether it the top stands firm or soft doesn’t matter. Thanks so much for the comment 🙂

      Reply
  16. Jenn

    December 21, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    I love these cookies and can’t wait to make them myself! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  17. Neha

    December 21, 2019 at 12:15 pm

    Such puffy and buttery cookies! These will be an awesome addition to my holiday cookie tray.

    Reply
  18. Mary

    December 21, 2019 at 11:29 am

    5 stars
    Almond is one of my favorite flavors! These cookies are delicious!

    Reply
  19. Demeter

    December 21, 2019 at 9:55 am

    5 stars
    Finishing up my holiday baking this weekend and these look like a great addition. They sound delicious!

    Reply
  20. Dannii

    December 21, 2019 at 9:52 am

    5 stars
    What a great cookie recipe. My husband would LOVE these.

    Reply
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Angela Allison from This Delicious House.

Hi there, I'm Angela!

I’m a wife, mother of three, and lover of simple and delicious make-ahead food!

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