The almond cookies are "a must" of the Sicilian culinary tradition. They are prepared with the Almond paste, called "pasta reale" in Sicily (King's paste).
The legend wants that the recipe was created in the XII century in the convent of the "Martorana" in Palermo and that his name is due to his goodness (worthy of a King!).
These delicious cookies are as good as easy to do! Accompany them with a good tea, coffee or a glass of Marsala, the typical Sicilian sweet wine.
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INGREDIENTS
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- 2 cups + 2 tbsp (200 gr) almond flour
- 1 cup + 10 tbsp (200 gr) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- ½ orange
- ½ lemon
- 10 Maraschino cherries or Amarena wild cherries
- 3 drops pure vanilla extract
ORIGIN OF “PASTA DI MANDORLE”
The origin of the Italian almond Paste is pretty ancient.
The most popular tale wants the Pasta di Mandorle created for the first time in the Convent of Martorana in the Sicilian city of Palermo, around the 12th Century, thanks of the founder Eloisa da Martorana.
But, some historians believe that the origin of almond paste can be dated since the 3th Century BC, when the Persian and Indian merchants started to sell the sugar and almonds to the Roman Empire.
We know for sure that since the 5th Century, the Arabs imported in Sicily many of their recipes, including sweets made with spices, dried fruits, and sugar.
The nuns of Martorana probably refined old recipes into what we now call Pasta di Mandorle or Pasta Reale.
TYPICAL SICILIAN PRODUCT WITH ALMOND PASTE
The almond paste is a critical ingredient for several Sicilian sweets and desserts.
The Almond cookies are probably the most simple recipe with Pasta di Mandorle. They are prepared in many ways with pure or flavored almond paste, depending on the part of the island.
For instance, in the region around Etna, the almond cookies are aromatized with hazelnuts. Otherwise, in the county of Bronte, they are flavored with the famous local pistachios.
Another spectacular Sicilian candy is the Frutta Martorana, also invented in the Martorana convent on the occasion of a visit of the local Bishop.
Even the popular Cassata Siciliana is made with sweet ricotta and almond paste, then decorated with candied fruit.
PREPARE THE ALMOND PASTE
First of all, sift the powdered sugar, then mix the sugar with the almond flour in a large bowl.
After that, add the grated zests of half lemon and half orange into the bowl, 3 drops of vanilla extract.
Finally, mix all the ingredients with the whites of 3 large eggs lightly beaten.
Work the dough until it is compact and homogeneous, then pour it into a pastry bag provided with a large decorating tip.
Place the pastry bag into the refrigerator 20 minutes.
MAKING THE ALMOND COOKIES
Line a baking pan with parchment paper. With the pastry bag, form cookies about 2 inches wide right on the parchment paper, adding half Maraschino Cherry on the top of each cookie.
Then, store the drip pan in the fridge for at least 8 hours (it’s easy to prepare the almond cookies the night before for the following day!).
The resting in the fridge is critical because the cookies don’t sag while cooking.
BAKING AND SERVING
When the almond cookies are ready to be cooked, set the oven to 350° F and bake the cookies by taking them directly from the fridge.
Bake the cookies 10-15 minutes, turning the dripping pan halfway through cooking, until they are golden brown. Finally, operate the broil a few minutes, until the cookies are golden! The almond cookies should be crispy outside and soft inside.
Serve the almond cookies with a good tea, coffee or a glass of Italian dessert wine.
CHOCOLATE FUDGE MUFFIN with blueberries whipped cream
PRINTABLE VERSION
TRADITIONAL SICILIAN ALMOND COOKIES
The almond cookies are "a must" of the Sicilian culinary tradition. They are prepared with the Almond paste, called "pasta reale" in Sicily (King's paste).
The legend wants that the recipe was created in the XII century in the convent of the "Martorana" in Palermo and that his name is due to his goodness (worthy of a King!).
These delicious cookies are as good as easy to do! Accompany them with a good tea, coffee or a glass of Marsala, the typical Sicilian sweet wine.
Ingredients
- 2 cups + 2 tbsp (200 gr) almond flour
- 1 cup + 10 tbsp (200 gr) powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- ½ orange
- ½ lemon
- 10 Maraschino or Amarena cherries
- 3 drops pure vanilla extract
Instructions
PREPARE THE ALMOND PASTE
- First of all, sift the powdered sugar, then mix the sugar with the almond flour in a large bowl.
- After that, add the grated zests of half lemon and half orange into the bowl, 3 drops of vanilla extract. Finally, mix all the ingredients with the whites of 3 large eggs lightly beaten.
EGG WHITES
- Work the dough until it is compact and homogeneous, then pour it into a pastry bag provided with a large decorating tip.
- Place the pastry bag into the refrigerator 20 minutes.
MAKING THE ALMOND COOKIES
- Line a drip pan with parchment paper. With the pastry bag, form cookies about 2 inches wide right on the parchment paper, adding half Maraschino Cherry on the top of each cookie.
- Then, put the drip pan in the fridge for at least 8 hours (it’s easy to prepare the almond cookies the night before for the following day!).
- The resting in the fridge is critical because the cookies don’t sag while cooking.
ALMOND COOKIES INTO THE OVEN!
- When the almond cookies are ready to be cooked, set the oven to 350° F and bake the cookies by taking them directly from the fridge. Bake the cookies 10-15 minutes, turning the dripping pan halfway through cooking, until they are golden brown.
- After that, operate the broil a few minutes, until the cookies are golden! The almond cookies should be crispy outside and soft inside.
- Finally, serve the almond cookies with a good tea, coffee or a glass of Italian Marsala wine.
Nutrition Information
Yield
5Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 72Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 34mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 1gSugar 14gProtein 2g
The writers and publishers of this blog are not nutritionists or registered dietitians. All information presented and written within our blog are intended for informational purposes only. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. The writers and publishers of this blog are not responsible for adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions herein or hereafter. Under no circumstances will this blog or its owners be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on nutritional information given by this site. By using this blog and its content, you agree to these terms.
Thank you for the recipe. Will definitely try them tomorrow. Makes me feel like a kid again remembering going to the local Italian bakery for a treat!
The system will not let me give you five stars so here they are: *****
Love these cookies! Ate them growing up in NY. But then I am Sicilian and Napolitano!! Thanks for pinning this recipe
Thanks a lot JoAnn, I'm glad you liked them! 🙂
Very good tasting cookie but mine were as flat as pancakes. I did exactly what the recipe said to do. Help
Hi Sharon, I'm sorry for that!
Where they flat before or after baked? If they were flat before baking, probably the drought was not firm enough: try to add a little more almonds flour and let me know. Remember: they need the rest into the fridge and baked immediately after the rest.
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Love Love Love these cookies!!!! I work at an Italian bakery while attending high school and these were my very favorite! At Christmas time I switched favorites to Pinyolate( phonetic spelling). They were little balls of sweet dough, stacked atop one another, they were dipped in a honey syrup. I guess they are also known as strufoli. Loved working there. Very good people. We became like family.
Thanks, I love Struffoli too! I want to publish the recipe as soon as possible!
These are my favorite cookies!
What tip did you use? They look delicious!
Thanks Kam: just egg whites, almond flour and sugar
What tip on the pastry bag ?
It is the extra large open star.
Is it Almond flour or Almond paste? Your post has conflicting terms.
Hi Lucille, thanks for your comment!
The almond flour is one of the ingredients used to prepare the almond paste. In this recipe, I describe the process to make the almond paste cookies starting from the flour.
Hi,
I just found this recipe, we all love almond paste cookies. I'm confused though, the earlier part of your description says almond flour, then the inside printed recipe says paste,then the "print recipe" states almond flavor?
Do you mean almond flour? Also, is there any almond extract in the mix? If it's almond paste, how many ounces for the batch? usually the "bakery style" Italian almond horns or cookies have paste.
Well, I'll wait to hear before I waste the ingredients.
Thanks, Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for noticing!
Actually "flavor" is a typo, I'm sorry about that. The dough is made with almond flour, whites, sugar, orange and lemon grated skins, and vanilla extract.
I often do these cookies for my friends, and sometimes I replace the vanilla extract with anise extract: delicious as well!
Thanks again for your help
Filippo
Ivone Beltran
Will be trying these soon sound wonderful! Thanks for the recipe
Hi,
Just wondering does the lightly beaten egg whites refer to a soft peak or egg whites that just begin to foam?
Thanks!
Just don't want to stuff it up!
Hi Gen,
Beat the whites with a fork until they are smooth and clear with a little foam, but still liquid, with a density that permits to incorporate the almond flour easily.
Let me know if you need any more suggestions 🙂
Thanks for answering that question (and thanks for asking it, Gen)--I was wondering the same thing!!
Hi I would like the recipe for the amaretti biscuits please.
Hi Rosanna,
Hope to make them soon
I would like to make soon for party time
Cool Michelle!
Let me know If you'll like them
I don't understand this recipe. The comments says it uses almond paste but only almond flour is in the ingredients. What am I missing?
Hi Lucia,
The almond paste is composed by the mixture of almond flour, sugar and whites. The process is described in the step "PREPARE THE DOUGH": I just renamed this paragraph into "PREPARE THE ALMOND PASTE" to be more clear.
Happy cooking 🙂
I made this recipe with difficulty but o far all my tasters think it is a keeper. I will be trying it again and seeing if I can make the dough less still than it was the first time. Taste is very good and the cookie is not very sweet, the way an Italian cookie is supposed to be
Hi Lucia,
I'm very happy you liked the taste of these cookies! Just a suggestion: with a too soft dough could be difficult maintaining the shape of the cookies. Let me updated about your experimentation 🙂
Can you clarify what a drip pan is?
Hi Linda,
It is a baking tray. A baking sheet works great as well 🙂
Can you shorten the 8hrs in the fridge by placing them in the freezer? Also what # pastry tip am I using on the bag? Is the orange Traditional or can I use something else? Thanks
Hi Mitshella,
You can try to lower the temperature of your fridge and try to bake a couple of cookies after a few hours and see if these mantain their shape.
I never tried to store them in the freezer, but I imagine they could stay in just a few minutes, and bake them before they froze.
Let me know how it goes 🙂
I was wondering how.many cookies this recipe makes. Also which tip did you use to pipe the cookies?
Hi Stella,
You can make about 20 cookies depending on the size you prefer. Commonly I use a star tip or a close-star tip.
Happy cooking
Thanks!!!! Can't wait to try them. Do they freeze well?
Hi Stella,
Thanks for commenting, hope you'll enjoy them 🙂
I never tried to freeze the cookies or the dough, but I thinks they would become too mushy.
Happy cooking!
F.
I noticed several people ask what time you used. The closest I see to an answer is a star tip. Is there a number on your tip? Thank you, Tony
Hi Tony, thanks for commenting!
To prepare this cookies, I used a 1M open star tip.
Happy cooking!
F.
Sorry that should have been "tip" not "time"
wHAT IS ALMOND FLOUR?
Hi Ben,
Almond flour is simply made from ground sweet almonds. You can make homemade or simply buy at the grocery or online.
Happy cooking!
F.
Hi would it be possible to use store baught egg whites ? & if so Do you think 3/4 cup would do it ?
Hi Chalom,
I cracked three eggs, and the whites weigh 96 g that correspond to 0.43 cups. So I would suggest to use 1/2 cup of whites and add one more tbsp of almond flour, if necessary 🙂
Do you actually use the TOP broiler after you bake them?
Hi Janet,
my oven requires a few minutes of top broil to golden brown the cookie perfectly. Just take a look at your cookies once cooked to decide if it is necessary or less. Baking is a very personal matter between the cook and his oven 😉
Italian at Heart!
Thank you 🙂
could these be made with pre-made almond paste? and if so, what ingredients get added to it (ie just egg whites and zest?)
Hi Laura,
I never tried to use pre-made almond paste, but I suppose it is possible: just read the ingredients on the box and possibly add what it is missing (lemon zest, vanilla, etc.)
Happy holidays 🙂
Going to try these
I'm going to try these.
Can these be made in advance and how do you store them once made? Air tight container on the countertop or do they need to be refrigerated?
Hi Yedney,
Yes, you can store them into an air tight container up to 5 to 7 days, depending on the evironmental conditions.
Happy cooking 🙂
Cest joli je les aimer trop bon
Mercí Amara 🙂
Great recipe, easy to follow and has a taste that reminds me of Palermo!
Thanks for your words Victoria!
Happy cooking 🙂
These are easy to make and very delicious.
thank you Anna!
Happy cooking 🙂
Great recipe!!! I will be looking for more!! Thanks so much!!
Thank you Rosa, I'm working on it 🙂
Happy cooking!
F.
Gracias por compartir recetas, me gusta todo lo relacionado con la repostería.
Me encantan las recetas con almendras.
Un saludo
Pilar Llera
Gracias Pilar,
Happy cooking 🙂
When you put the dough in the fridge for 8 hrs before you put it in the oven, do you cover them? The cookies look so delicious!
Hi Stella,
If you prefer, just cover them with a piece of wax or parchment paper.
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Can you use almond paste instead of almond flour? I've never heard of these made with almond flour. Usually it is almond paste, confectionary sugar and egg whites.
Hi Rosanne,
Yes, you can. In the first part of my recipe is basically described how to make homemade almond paste. I prefer starting from almond flour because it's not difficult and I have the complete control of the ingredients.
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
I can’t wait to try it!
Cool, let me know Douglas 🙂
I want to make it for my Italian family!
Can these be rolled into small balls and make a thumbprint to put the cherry into ?
Hi Mary,
Making balls with this dough, it is not so easy. The pastry bag is ever the best option, but if you have not, try to shape the cookies with the help of a spoon.
Happy cooking!
F.
Hi
Can I substitute the powder sugar with honey or maple?
Hi Odi,
In theory you can, but I never tried. Certainly, You need to modify the amount of almond flour to obtain the right density.
Happy cooking 🙂
F
Buonissime!!!
Sicilia, i siciliani sono bravissimi cucinando.
Grazie Encarna!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
great easy recipe thanks
Thank for your words Wayne 🙂
Happy cooking!
F.
Can’t wait to make them
Cool Ruth, let me know 🙂
going to try sounds yummy
Nice Sharon!
Let me know if you'll like them 🙂
F.
Hi,
Tnx for sharing this delicious recipe. I have a question for you, could we add some butter?
Thank you Lili!
Concerning the butter, I never tried
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
What is almond flour and where to get it?
Hi Carol,
Almond flour is made with finely ground sweet almonds. You can find it in specialized groceries and online: https://www.amazon.com/Bobs-Red-Mill-Super-Fine-Almond/dp/B01N9PWYCV/ref=sr_1_15_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1544626079&sr=1-15&keywords=almond+flour
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Won't know how to rate it until I make them! Just looking to use up almond flour and maraschino cherries.
Oh my, really need to make these cookies..y family will love them
Nice,
Let me know 🙂
F.
Jim.navarra@yahoo.com
These some of my favorite family cookies too!
Thank you Jim!
Marty Christmas 🙂
F.
Delicious and easy little cookie!
Thank you Mary!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Looks so good.
Thank you Marion 🙂
Happy cooking!
F.
Love!
Thank you Heidi 🙂
Happy cooking!
F.
They look delicious hope mine turn out like this with your delicious instructions x
I hope so as well Frances!
Let me know 🙂
Happy cooking
F.
Delicious cookies! Like my Italian grandma made.
Wow, thank you Karen!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Wow so cuteHope
Rhank you Hope!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Delicious recipe thanks!
Thank you Andrea!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Just put them in the fridge! Excited to bake them tomorrow! Thank you!!
Nice 🙂
Hope you'll like them, Teresa!
Happy cooking
F.
Can't wait to make these
Nice, let me know Courtney!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Tried making these today
And had tried to pipe with star tip
But could not
Dough was to hard for that! Others than that they were very good!
Any tips for the next time when I make them
Hi Anna, I'm glad you liked my cookies!
Concerning the dough: it's normal that it is hard to pipe, but in case it comes too hard, you can use a little less flour.
Happy cooking!
F.
Looks yummy!
Thank you Charlie!
Let me know in case you decide to try them,
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
First time I’m going to make these. My husbands favorite, his mother always made these. DELICIOUS
Nice, I'm glad you liked them Ingrid!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Making them this week
Nice! Let me know Ingrid,
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Love these cookies
Thank you Teryn!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Tastety
Love this recipe!❤️
Thank you Pat!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Love traditional Italian cookies - love this recipe
Thank you Eileen 🙂
Happy cooking!
F.