Amaretti cookies are deliciously sweet and crunchy Italian almond cookies! These cookies are made from the Amaretti Cookies Recipe in Emily Richards’ cookbook Per La Famiglia and I can’t wait to share it with you!
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I’m thrilled to be joining forces with some amazing Canadian bloggers today to bring you a review of Emily Richards’ cookbook, Per La Famiglia: Memories and Recipes of Southern Italian Home Cooking and an awesome Prize Pack GIVEAWAY! Stay tuned to the end of this post for all the giveaway details.
Update: The giveaway is over.
Cookbook Review: Per La Famiglia
Let me just say, this is a gorgeous cookbook. Believe it or not, I’m not one of those food bloggers who’s never met a cookbook she didn’t like. I’m pretty picky when it comes to cookbooks and not just any cookbook makes its way onto my shelf. But this cookbook? This cookbook is a keeper!
Aside from the gorgeous and rustically-styled photography, the collection of recipes in this book represent everything I’ve ever loved about cultural cuisine. I adore authentic Italian food for its comforting, earthy flavours and its freshness, but I adore simple, easy-to-prepare food made with healthy ingredients even more. This book is the best of both those worlds and it’s opened the door to authentic Italian cooking for me while at the same time maintaining a spirit of simplicity, making these authentic Italian recipes accessible to even the most inexperienced home cook.
Per La Famiglia is peppered with family stories and old photographs and it’s a beautiful read. There’s nothing like getting a glimpse into someone else’s family recipe collection to make you want to get into the kitchen, and that’s exactly what this book has done for me.
Amaretti Cookies Recipe
The Italian cookie recipe I’m sharing today is a new favourite of mine. These Amaretti Cookies are simple and delicious, and they represent the spirit of this book perfectly. They contain only 6 ingredients and if you own a food processor, you can make these cookies. They’re delicate and sweet with a nice crunch, and they’re great on their own or topped with some powdered sugar. I promise, you will love them!
Supplies Needed to Make Amaretti Cookies Recipe
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- food processor
- stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer

Amaretti Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups unblanched whole almonds
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp almond extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp powdered sugar optional, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 Celsius). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. The author warns against using dark metal baking sheets for these cookies to prevent over browning and I have to agree.
- Add the almonds to your food processor and blend until they're in small pieces with some powdery granules. Set the almonds aside.
- Beat the egg whites to soft peaks in a large bowl. Gradually beat in the sugar until ribbons fall from the beaters when you lift them out of the mixture.
- Stir the almonds into the egg white mixture, along with the flour, almond extract and baking powder.
- Drop level tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. If you need to, shape each mound of batter into a neat circle.
- Bake them in the centre of the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are a light brown colour and crisp on top. The author suggests 12 minutes as a baking time, but mine were always done after 10 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Sprinkle some icing sugar on top, if you wish, and enjoy!
Nutrition
The amaretti cookies are the perfect little sweet treat for dunking in a cup of coffee or tea. They keep well in an airtight container for 2 weeks at room temperature and about a month in the freezer.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite family recipe that’s been passed down to you through generations?
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More Recipes from the Per La Famiglia Cookbook
Don’t forget to check out all the other recipes from Per La Famiglia being featured by some amazing Canadian bloggers!
The Brunette Baker – Ricotta Cannoli
Dinner with Julie – Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi
The Tasty Gardner – Squash and Hazelnut Rotelle/Polenta with Sausage and Rapini
My Daily Randomness – Tiramisu
Libby Roach – Nonna Ortenzia’s Meatballs
She Eats – Egg and Raisin Bread
Devour & Conquer – Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Butter
Eating Niagra – Potato Doughnuts
Gotta Get Baked – Hazlenut Chocolate-Filled Cookies
Once Upon a Recipe – Balsamic Roasted Pear Wedges with Prosciutto
Culinary Cool – Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni
The Yum Yum Factor – Pickled Eggplant
Kelly Neil – Roasted Tomatoes
Strawberries for Supper – Baked Pasta with Sausage and Ricotta
Misty says
Those cookies look so good. I got a bottle of Frangelica for Christmas, and I am going to look up recipes to use it in. I'm not a big drinker. ([email protected])
The Busy Baker says
Thanks!
monique s says
awesome recipe
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Monique! Let me know how you like them!
jemrah says
this looks like a gorgeous cookbook for everyone's collection!! and the cookies sound amazing – yum!!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks!
DebP says
Italian food is my favorite. I love Mediterranean cuisine, and have incorporated much of it into my everyday cooking.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment.
Gord Ord says
I would love to try these cookies! They would go perfect with afternoon tea.
The Busy Baker says
So glad you like the recipe!
Jess @ Tinder District says
My favorite is my family's Hungarian "polichintas," like thicker crepes that we roll up with jam!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment, Jess.
Kristi A says
Paska, a type of Russian/Mennonite Easter bread
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment, Kristi.
Cassie Fancy says
My mom taught her her special recipe of Banana chocolate chip cookies . My favorite and now my little ones favorite
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment, Cassie.
lunafuxia says
Thank you for the opportunity! I love amaretti cookies!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment.
Wayne Lecoy says
It would be great to win a
copy of the Per La Famiglia Cookbook signed by author Emily Richards,
a Set of Three Microplane Elite Graters/Zesters
and a Gnocchi Board.
Thank you for having this giveaway.
Leela says
Everyone in my family love these cookies!
The Busy Baker says
So glad you like the recipe!!
Anonymous says
Love every item some lucky person will receive
jan
The Busy Baker says
Thanks!
Tammy D says
Thanks for the chance
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment.
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
These look great, Chrissie! And so easy too!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Amanda!! So glad you like the recipe!!
Beth Dunham says
I'd love to try homemade Amaretti cookies, yours look so good!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Beth! Glad you like them!
Christina says
These would be a great addition to a Christmas cookie platter. Yum!
The Busy Baker says
So glad you like the recipe!!
Karen Wirima says
Yummy looking cookies and will try soon!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Karen!!
Angela M says
I absolutely love Italian food and I'm always looking for new and authentic recipes to try.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment!!
Natalie R says
Amaretti cookies are amazing!! I sometimes use them as a crumb base for my almond cheesecake – makes the flavor SO much better 🙂
The Busy Baker says
Thanks so much for letting us know! Glad you liked them!!
charbear says
i cant wait to make these cookies rafflecopter charityk
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your comment!😊
Sarah Perry says
These cookies look so good! I think they are something my family would enjoy.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Sarah!
Jencrdh says
I've made these twice and they're delicious! I flatten them 1/2 way through baking and they come out crispy. My only problem is that I only get about 28 cookies each time but I guess I just need to double it!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks!