Embark on a culinary journey to discover the secrets behind creating the perfect Tuscan almond cookies, a delightful treat that has graced Italian kitchens for centuries. These cookies, also known as biscotti di mandorle, are a testament to the rich flavors and textures that define Tuscan cuisine. Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and nutty, combined with the delicate crunch of toasted almonds, all wrapped in a golden-brown exterior. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this guide will provide you with the essential tips and techniques to create these delectable cookies that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Tuscany.
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TUSCAN ALMOND COOKIES (RICCIARELLI)
These traditional almond cookies hail from Tuscany; their texture is chewy, similar to macaroons.
Provided by Skye Gyngell
Categories Bon Appétit Bake Cookies Almond Lemon Dessert Wheat/Gluten-Free Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes about 12
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden, 5-8 minutes; let cool.
- Pulse almonds, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Whisk egg white and salt in a large bowl to medium peaks. Whisking constantly, gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar; whisk until egg white is very stiff but not dry. Fold in almond mixture and vanilla. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; using wet hands, flatten tops and press sides to make rounded diamond shapes. Chill 30 minutes.
- Bake ricciarelli until edges are lightly golden and firm and centers are still a little soft, 10-12 minutes; let cool on baking sheet. Dust with powdered sugar.
RICCIARELLI - TUSCAN ALMOND COOKIES
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with the lemon juice until stiff peaks form.
- Use a fine sieve to sift the almond flour and powdered sugar into the bowl.
- Add the extracts and gently fold the egg whites into the other ingredients until mixed.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and use your hands to roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls.
- Roll each ball into the extra powdered sugar until well coated.
- Shape the balls into an oval, and arrange on the prepared baking sheets with room for spreading between.
- Let the cookies sit at room temperature for at least an hour, or until the exterior of the cookies have dried out and feels firm to the touch.
- While the cookies dry, preheat oven to 300 degrees F., then bake for about 20 minutes.
- Cool completely, then store in an airtight container.
ALMOND COOKIES III
My Mom got this recipe many years from a Chinese man who lived across the street from us when I was growing up. They are very good cookies and so easy to make.
Provided by Anne
Categories Desserts Nut Dessert Recipes Almond Dessert Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and almond extract until smooth. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Drop cookies by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets, and press down slightly with the bottom of a glass. Place a whole almond on top of each cookie.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm. Remove cookies from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 294.6 calories, Carbohydrate 29.6 g, Cholesterol 40.7 mg, Fat 18.5 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3.6 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 133.7 mg, Sugar 12.8 g
ITALIAN ALMOND COOKIES II
This cookie is very chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, BUT the entire outside is coated in sliced almonds for a fantastic look and is absolutely delicious. It is well worth the effort.
Provided by MYRAMANI
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 35m
Yield 72
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
- In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together the almond paste, flour, egg whites, white sugar and confectioners' sugar until well blended. The mixture will be very sticky. Place the sliced almonds into a small bowl. Scoop out rounded teaspoonfuls of the dough and drop them into the almonds. Roll until completely coated. Place 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheets for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.6 calories, Carbohydrate 16.8 g, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 7.4 mg, Sugar 9 g
TUSCAN ALMOND COOKIES
In Tuscany these are the obligatory ending to any lunch. Small, dense-textured and dry, they are served with Vin Santo, a sweet and strongly perfumed wine made from grapes that have been left to dry in the cellars. The custom is to dip the cookies in the Vin Santo. The recipe is very simple and the oookies will keep in an airtight container for several months.
Provided by Chef mariajane
Categories Dessert
Time 7m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F
- Heap the flour in a mound on a pastry board. Make a well in the center and add the eggs, sugar, baking soda and a punch of salt. Knead briefly. Add the almonds and knead again to mix thoroughly.
- Roll the dough into lengths about 1 1/2 inches in diameter (2-inches long). Flatten slightly. Arrange the cookies on a buttered and floured baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 7-8 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven, cut into diagonal slices about 3/8 - inch thick. Return to the oven to finish cooking until perfectly browned, about 7-10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1633, Fat 28.7, SaturatedFat 3.9, Cholesterol 282, Sodium 238.9, Carbohydrate 312.9, Fiber 9, Sugar 169.5, Protein 35.8
"RICCIARELLI DI SIENA" ITALIAN ALMOND COOKIES
A soft sugary cookie similar to a macaron, with chewy almond and orange center. These traditional Tuscan cookies are a perfect Christmas treat.
Provided by Jessica Montanelli
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a large bowl, add the room temperature egg whites with the vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest.
- Whisk with an electric whisk until you get a foamy consistency. It should not be stiff like meringues but very soft foam.
- Add the sugar and the almond meal and mix with a spoon until you get a paste. If crumbly, knead with your hands until the dough stays compactly together.
- Dust a cutting board with powdered sugar and roll the dough into a thick cylinder, about 2 inches (5 cm) thick, then cut it into 1 inch (2.5 cm) chunks.
- Flatten lightly the discs on the board, then give them an oval shape and coat them well with powdered sugar.
- Set the Ricciarelli on a baking sheet, then lightly wet your fingers with water and wet the surface of each cookie (it should be just slightly wet, not drippy), then dust again with abundant icing sugar to coat them well. Tap lightly with dry fingers to smoothen the sugary surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for the first 5 minutes at 300°F (150°C), then 5 minutes at 340°F (170°C) and the last 5 minutes at 320°F (160°C). Alternatively, you can bake them only at 320°F (160°C) for 18-20 minutes.
- Gently move the cookies to a cooling rack with a spatula and let them cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 161 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 18 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ITALIAN ALMOND COOKIES
These delectable almond cookies are made with just a few ingredients. Though they're typically Sicilian, similar versions are found all over Italy. A bit like macaroons, they are crisp on the outside, with a perfumed chewy interior. They may be baked plain, decorated with candied fruit or whole almonds, or made into thumbprint cookies, filled with a spoonful of good jam. Ideal to bake in advance, these cookies keep well for several days, ready to serve at a moment's notice.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories cookies and bars, dessert
Time 1h45m
Yield 24 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put half the almonds and half the sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Process to obtain a coarse meal. Repeat with remaining almonds and sugar.
- Put egg whites and almond extract in a medium bowl. Using a wire whisk, beat whites until soft peaks form. Add the almond-sugar mixture to the whites and use a rubber spatula to incorporate the egg whites until you obtain a doughlike consistency.
- Use a spoon or small ice cream scoop to make 24 little blobs weighing about 1/2 ounce/20 grams. Roll each between 2 palms to make smooth spheres, then flatten them slightly. Roll them in a bowl of confectioners' sugar to coat well and place 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Use the end of a wooden spoon to make little round dents in each cookie. Fill dents with whole, unblanched almonds or Amarena cherries, if desired. Alternatively, leave cookies plain with smooth tops. Leave the tray of unbaked cookies at room temperature, uncovered, for 1 hour.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cookies will taste. Use real butter, pure vanilla extract, and high-quality almonds.
- Chill the dough before baking: This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
- Bake the cookies until they are just golden brown: Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them: This will help them keep their shape and flavor.
Conclusion:
Tuscan almond cookies are a delicious and classic Italian cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With their delicate almond flavor and crispy texture, these cookies are sure to be a hit at your next gathering. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give these Tuscan almond cookies a try. You won't be disappointed!
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