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Italian Almond Cookies are a timeless treat with a festive twist. Naturally gluten-free and bursting with nutty flavor, rolled generously in confectioners’ sugar for a delicate snowy finish, then crowned with jewel-like candied cherries that make each cookie look like a holiday ornament. Crisp on the outside yet tender within, they feel both rustic and elegant—perfect for Christmas gatherings, gift boxes, or simply enjoying with a cup of espresso. A classic Italian sweet made merry for the season.
Ingredients Needed for Italian Almond Cookies
- egg whites
- granulated sugar
- almond extract
- almond flour
- baking powder
- confectioners sugar
- candied red cherries
How to Make Italian Almond Cookies
Begin by reheating your oven to 350 degrees and preparing a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set a shallow bowl or plate filled with confectioners’ sugar nearby—it will be waiting for the dough.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg whites, granulated sugar, and almond extract until they’re well blended. Stir in the almond flour and baking powder, creating a soft, fragrant dough. With a cookie scoop, shape the dough into balls, then roll each one through the confectioners’ sugar so they’re coated in a snowy layer. Place them on the parchment-lined pan, leaving about two inches between each—twelve cookies per sheet pan is just right.
Take the bottom of a glass or measuring cup and gently press down on each cookie to flatten them slightly. The dough will crack as it spreads, and that rustic look is part of their charm. Nestle a candied cherry into the center of each cookie, giving them a festive jewel-like finish.
Bake for about ten minutes, until the cookies are set, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack. Allow the sheet pan to cool before starting another batch, or prepare a second parchment-lined pan to keep the process moving. Once all the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container.
Now they’re ready to enjoy—delicate, almond-rich, dusted in sugar, and crowned with cherries, a perfect holiday treat.
More Favorite Recipes (Click the Links Below)
- Butterball Cookies
- Buckeyes
- Spritz Cookies
- Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies
- Holiday Blossoms
- Soft Lemon Cookies
- Butterball Cookies
- Cranberry and Pistachio Icebox Cookies
- Peppermint Buttermints
Italian Almond Cookies
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 30 Cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 3 cups almond flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup confectioners sugar (for rolling)
- candied red cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Place confectioners sugar on a shallow bowl or plate, set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat together the egg whites, granulated sugar and almond extract.
- Blend in the almond flour and baking powder.
- Using a cookie scoop, form dough into balls, roll in the confectioners sugar and place on the parchment lined cookie sheet leaving 2 inches between cookies (about 12 cookies per sheet pan).
- Using the bottom of a glass or a measuring cup, lightly press the cookies so they are flatten. The dough will crack and that is ok.
- Press a candied cherry into the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 10 minutes and carefully transfer to a wire rack.
- Let sheet pan cool before continuing or use another parchment lined sheet pan, and then continue with remaining dough.
- Let cool completely and store in airtight container.
- Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian