How to Make Ricciarelli Cookies — Chewy Italian Almond Cookies

almond flour

🥗Healthier: coconut flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Coconut flour is lower in calories, but may alter texture.

powdered sugar

🥗Healthier: stevia

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Stevia reduces calories but may affect sweetness.

egg whites

🥗Healthier: aquafaba

💰Cheaper: whole eggs

Aquafaba can substitute for egg whites in vegan recipes.

vanilla extract

🥗Healthier: vanilla bean

💰Cheaper: vanilla flavoring

Vanilla flavoring is less expensive but less aromatic.

Add 2 egg whites to a bowl.

Add 1 tbsp (13 grams) of vanilla extract, 1 tsp (4 grams) of almond extract, and the zest of an orange to the egg whites.

Whisk together until frothy, using a hand mixer if desired.

Set the egg white mixture aside.

Sift 1 3/4 cups (200 grams) of icing or powdered sugar into a bowl.

If the icing sugar is clumpy, process it in a food processor to smooth it out.

Add 2 cups (200 grams) of blanched almond flour to the icing sugar and stir until mostly combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine.

Transfer the dough to a smaller container, cover it with a lid or cling film, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours or up to 3 days.

Dust a work surface with icing sugar and roll the chilled dough into a log.

Slice the log into pieces about 1 cm thick (approximately 2 inches).

Dust the tops and bottoms of the cookies with icing sugar.

Shape each piece into an oblong or diamond shape with rounded sides, resembling a piece of rice.

Place the cookies on a baking tray, leaving 4 to 5 cm (1.5 - 2 inches) between each cookie.

Dust the cookies with more icing sugar before baking.

Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F).

Bake the cookies for 5 to 6 minutes, then increase the oven temperature to 170°C (340°F) and bake for another 5 to 6 minutes until cracks form on top.

Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (320°F) and bake for a final 5 to 6 minutes.

Move the entire piece of parchment paper with the cookies onto a cooling rack after baking.

Let the cookies cool for 1 hour before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens