🇮🇹 Italian · Dessert
🍪 Amaretti Morbidi
Amaretti Morbidi
Soft, chewy almond cookies with a cracked sugar-dusted top, made without any flour at all, their intensely almond flavor a beloved fixture of Italian coffee tables.
Unlike their crunchy cousins, morbidi amaretti are deliberately soft and moist inside, their naturally gluten-free almond-flour base making them a popular option for entertaining guests with dietary restrictions, without ever compromising on flavor.
Ingredients
Equipment: Mixing bowl, Baking sheet
- 250 g (2½ cups) almond flour
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar, for coating
Method
- Whisk the egg whites until foamy but not stiff.
- Combine the almond flour and sugar, then fold in the egg whites, almond extract, and lemon zest into a soft, sticky dough.
- Rest the dough, covered, for 30 minutes to firm up slightly.
- Roll small portions into balls, about 3cm across.
- Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar to coat.
- Arrange on a lined baking sheet, spaced apart, and bake at 160C (325F) for 12-15 minutes until the tops crack and turn lightly golden, while staying soft inside.
- Cool completely on the tray before handling, as they are very delicate while warm.
Chef Tips
- Do not overbake -- the goal is a golden, cracked exterior with a soft, chewy center, not a fully crisp cookie.
- Rolling generously in powdered sugar before baking is what creates the characteristic cracked, snowy top.
- These cookies keep well and often taste even better a day after baking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking, which dries out the characteristic soft, chewy center.
- Skimping on the powdered sugar coating, missing the traditional cracked appearance.
- Handling the cookies while still hot, when they are fragile and can break apart.
Nutrition (per serving)
Health Benefits
- Almond flour provides protein, healthy fats, and vitamin E, and the cookies are naturally gluten-free.
Cultural Note
Amaretti are found in countless regional variations throughout Italy, with Saronno in Lombardy particularly famous for its version, a beloved accompaniment to coffee and dessert wines.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Reheating: Not applicable.
Serve with: Espresso, A glass of Vin Santo