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    Home » Recipes

    Sicilian Almond Cookies

    Published: Apr 2, 2023 by Lara Yamagata ·

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    These 6-ingredient Sicilian Almond Cookies are the most delicious pure almond cookies ever! Quick, simple, and gluten-free.

    There delightful Sicilian Almond Cookies will indulge your sweet tooth! Made with ground almonds and flavored with a hint of citrus, these gluten-free cookies are a classic treat that's perfect for any occasion. If you love trying Italian desserts, you must try these cookies!

    A batch of Sicilian Almond Cookies topped with candied cherries and almonds

    Made with just 6 simple ingredients and 15 minutes of baking time, these Sicilian delicacies will make the perfect last-minute treat or gift!

    Jump to:
    • What are Sicilian Almond Cookies?
    • Ingredients and Variations
    • How to Make your Own Almond Flour
    • How to Make Gluten-Free Sicilian Almond Cookies
    • Making Ahead and Storing
    • FAQs
    • Other Recipes you May Like
    • Sicilian Almond Cookies

    What are Sicilian Almond Cookies?

    These Sicilian Almond Cookies, also known as "pasticcini di mandorla" or "paste di mandorla", are sweet almond-infused cookies with a chewy interior that can be found in many bakeries throughout Sicily.

    They are typically made with ground almonds, egg whites, citrus, and sugar and are served on special occasions or given as gifts during the holiday season. These chewy almond cookies are a perfect accompaniment to cup of coffee or tea.

    These little bites have a very subtle almond flavor, which is much less intense than marzipan. The cookies are filled with an abundance of almonds and the perfect amount of citrus flavor from lemon zest.

    three sicilian almond cookies on a white background

    Ingredients and Variations

    Almond Flour - Use good quality store-bought almond flour. You can also use whole almonds and make your own almond flour from scratch instead, so that every bite has some texture, crunch, and pure almond flavor. It takes more time, but it's well worth it and you can perform this step in advance.

    Sugar - You can use granulated or caster sugar.

    Egg Whites - For structure and stability. Use room temperature eggs. You do not need to whip the egg whites separately for Sicilian Almond Cookies.

    Honey - For natural sweetness. Use regular honey or floral honey. I like to use acacia honey, which has a very neutral floral aroma.

    Lemon Zest - For a slightly citrusy twist. You can also use orange zest.

    Powdered Sugar - For dusting

    For topping these cookies, you can use candied cherries, whole almonds, or crushed nuts such as pistachios.

    Ingredients for Sicilian Almond Cookies (Paste di Mandorla)

    How to Make your Own Almond Flour

    Making almond flour is easy - it only takes one ingredient, a saucepan, a colander, and a food processor.

    To make 250g (2 cups) of almond flour, you will need an approximate equivalent of almonds by weight (i.e., 250g raw almonds).

    If you're starting off with raw unblanched almonds with the skin on you will need to blanch the almonds to be able to remove the skin easily:

    • Bring 2 cups of water to a complete boil in a small pan. Then, place your almonds and cover the pan, leaving the heat on (boiling).
    • Boil the almonds for precisely 1 minute. Once ready, drain the almonds in a colander placed in a sink and run them with cold tap water.
    • Now, it will be easy to squeeze the almonds out of their skin. Discard the skins and place the almonds in a single layer on a flat cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
    • Preheat your oven to 170 °C and roast the almonds for 10 minutes in the oven. Do not skip this step. The slight roasting helps to "dehydrate" the almonds so that your almond flour will be dry enough and won't stick together.
    • Once the almonds are dehydrated, place them in the food processor, and mix for 1-2 minutes until the almonds are finely ground. Do not overmix here as the almond flour would start sticking together, and you'll end up with almond butter.
    How to make your own almond flour at home

    How to Make Gluten-Free Sicilian Almond Cookies

    Preparation

    Preheat the oven to 180°C (356F)

    Line a large baking tray with parchment paper

    Mixture

    Using a large mixing bowl, place egg white and sugar and mix together until combined. You can use a handheld mixer, or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for this step.

    Add the lemon zest, honey, and almond flour (sifted) and mix until combined. The "cookie dough" should resemble a thick paste.

    Assembly

    Take tablespoonfuls of dough and roll each into a ball. Place onto lined baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining cookie dough.

    Place a whole almond or candied cherry on top of each cookie. Alternatively, roll the cookies into crushed pistachios or other nuts.

    Baking

    Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown at the sides. The top of the cookies should be slightly cracked. Let cool for 5-10 minutes on a cooling rack,

    Dust with powdered or icing sugar and serve.

    Making Ahead and Storing

    Store these Italian cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature.

    Make sure to let the cookies cool down completely before storing.

    Italian almond cookies

    FAQs

    Can I freeze Sicilian Almond Cookies?

    Yes, these cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
    Let the cookies cool down completely, and freeze in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. If layering the cookies, add a layer of parchment paper between the cookies.
    Thaw overnight before serving.

    Five Italian almond cookies on white background

    Other Recipes you May Like

    Lemon Curd Cookies

    Italian Butter Cookies

    Jam Tart Cookies

    Sicilian Almond Cookies

    These 6-ingredient Sicilian Almond Cookies are the most delicious pure almond cookies ever! Quick, simple, and gluten-free.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 22

    Ingredients
      

    • 250 g almond flour (2 cups), or homemade almond flour (see notes)
    • 150 g granulated sugar (¾ cup)
    • 2 egg whites
    • 2 tsp. honey
    • zest of half a lemon
    • 1 tbsp. powdered sugar

    Toppings

    • candied cherries
    • whole almonds

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 180°C (356F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Place egg whites and sugar in a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (you can also use a handheld mixer). Mix for 1-2 minutes on medium speed until combined. Note: You do not need to whip the egg whites.
    • Add lemon zest, honey, and sifted almond flour and mix until combined. The mixture should resemble a thick paste.
    • Take a tablespoonful of dough and roll into a ball. Place onto lined baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining cookie dough.
    • Place a whole almond or candied cherry on top of each dough ball.
    • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown at the sides. The top of the cookies should be slightly cracked. Let cool for 5-10 minutes on a cooling rack, dust with more powdered sugar, and serve.

    Notes

    Making Almond Flour from Scratch
    You will need an approximately 250g raw almonds for this recipe (to yield 2 cups of almond flour).
    1. If you're starting off with raw almonds with the skin on, blanch the almonds first.
      Bring 2 cups of water to a complete boil in a small pan.
      Place the raw almonds and cover the pan, leaving the heat on (boiling).
      Boil for exactly 1 minute. Once ready, drain the almonds in a colander placed in a sink and run them with cold tap water.
    2. Gently squeeze the almonds out of their skin. Discard the skins and place the almonds in a single layer on a flat baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    3. Preheat your oven to 170 °C and roast the almonds for 10 minutes in the oven. Do not skip this step. The slight roasting helps to "dehydrate" the almonds so that your almond flour will be dry enough and won't stick together.
    4. Once the almonds are dehydrated, place them in the food processor, and mix for 1-2 minutes until the almonds are finely ground. Do not overmix or the mixture will turn to almond butter.
    Keyword almond, cookies
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