Best Amaretti Biscuits Recipes

ITALIAN AMARETTI BISCUITS (COOKIES)

Steps:

• Combine the ground almonds with sugar, egg whites, vanilla and almond essence and mix well in small bowl of electric mixer.
• Beat mixture on medium speed for 3mins.
• Allow mixture to stand for 5 minutes.
• Prepare trays by lightly greasing and dusting with a little flour. Shake off excess flour.
• Spoon mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm (1/2") plain tube.
• Pipe in a circular motion from centre to make biscuits 4cm (11/2") in diameter onto prepared trays.
• Place a blanched almond on top of each biscuit.
• Bake in a moderate oven 350'F/180'C for 12-15 mins or until tops are lightly browned.
• Leave on tray a few minutes before removing with a spatula to cool on a wire rack.

EASY SUGAR-DUSTED AMARETTI BISCUITS

Steps:

• In food processor, blend almonds and 1/4 cup of the icing sugar until finely ground.
• Blend in remaining icing sugar and flour.
• In bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in granulated sugar until stiff glossy peaks form.
• Fold in the nut mixture and the almond extract.
• Grease baking sheet and preheat oven to 300°F.
• Using a pastry bag, pipe biscuit mixture into 1 1/2 inch wide mounds about 1 1/2 inches apart.
• Bake in 300F oven for 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown.
• Turn off the oven and allow the biscuits to dry inside the oven for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool on racks.
• Dust with icing sugar.

AMARETTI BISCUITS

Steps:

• Rub half the lemon zest into the caster sugar in a bowl using your fingertips until the mixture looks slightly damp. Set 2 tbsp of the lemon sugar aside, then stir the ground almonds into the rest until combined.
• Pour the egg whites into a large, clean bowl and whisk for 3-5 mins until stiff peaks form. Gradually whisk in the 2 tbsp of reserved lemon sugar to help stabilise the egg.
• Mix half the beaten egg whites and the almond liqueur (if using) into the dry ingredients until you have a smooth paste, then fold in the remaining egg whites until just incorporated. Chill for 1 hr.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and line two large baking trays with baking parchment. Roll tablespoons of the chilled dough into 15 even-sized balls.
• Fold the remaining lemon zest into the icing sugar, then roll the balls in this and place 2cm apart on the prepared trays. Dust with a little extra plain icing sugar, then bake for 13-15 mins until lightly golden but still soft. Leave to cool on the trays for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Will keep in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Dust with more icing sugar just before serving.