Amaretti Biscuits - guilt free and moreish

I can't decide what it is that I love the most about amaretti biscuits (cookies). It could be the way they melt in my mouth or it might be the fact that they are gluten free, have no added fat and are packed with the goodness of almonds or maybe it's that they are just so easy to make and I can whip up a batch in no time at all. Whatever it is I cannot resist them!

These little almond biscuits are Italian in origin, have an intense almond flavour and are crisp and dry so they can be dipped into coffee or (even better) sweet wine. They are traditionally flavoured with amaretto which is an almond liqueur and are usually sold in delis and specialist food stores. The most famous brand in the UK is Lazzaroni, who started manufacturing their Amaretti di Saronno biscuits back in the 19th century. 

Since I discovered just how bloomin' easy it is to make these dainty little biscuits I've stopped buying them and whenever I fancy a sweet (but fairly guilt-free) treat, I reach for the ground almonds, sugar, eggs and almond extract knowing that in 45 minutes I'll be tucking into them.

Don't keep them all to yourself though! Share the love and tie some homemade amaretti biscuits up neatly in a clear cellophane bag and give them to someone special as a fabulous foodie pressie.  

Amaretti Biscuits

Notes: While amaretti biscuits are traditionally made with an alcoholic amaretto liqueur, I like to keep mine as guilt-free as possible so I use almond extract in place of amaretto which results in a milder flavour. If you would like to use amaretto, replace the almond extract with 2tbsp of amaretto.

These biscuits have a crisp exterior and a chewy centre when they are eaten soon after they have been baked. They will become crisper after a day or so. For a softer biscuit, reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes.

I use my food processor for this recipe which makes the mixing process really quick but if you don't have a food processor, a bowl, a wooden spoon and a bit of elbow grease will do just as well.

Makes 30 biscuits.

Ingredients:
275g ground almonds
275g caster sugar

½tsp vanilla extract

1tsp almond extract

3 egg whites

extra sugar for sprinkling

Method:

1. Put the almonds and sugar into a food processor with a chopper blade and blend for a few seconds until well mixed.

 2. Add the vanilla and almond extract and blend again to combine.

3. Add the egg whites one at a time and blend until the dough is smooth.

4. Cover a baking tray with parchment / greaseproof paper and place teaspoons of the mixture onto the tray. Sprinkle with the extra sugar.

5. Place in a preheated oven 150°C / 300°F / Gas Mark 2 for 25-30 minutes until risen and golden. Remove immediately from the parchment paper and place on a wire rack to cool.

6. Store in an airtight container.

Inspired by Simply Recipes