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a stack of two almond paste cookies with the top one having a bite taken out
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Italian Almond Paste Cookies

Italian Almond Paste Cookies, also known as almond macaroons, are a soft, chewy, and highly addictive delight perfect for Christmas or Passover. Only four ingredients are required to make this flourless cookie recipe!
Course Cookies
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
chilling 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 27 minutes
Servings 18
Calories 43kcal
Author Melissa Erdelac

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 egg white
  • 4 ounces almond paste, (NOT almond filling)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract, optional
  • powdered sugar, for dusting
  • sliced almonds, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a baking sheet, line with parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat.
  • In a medium bowl beat the egg white until frothy and white.
    a beaten egg white in a glass bowl
  • Break up almond paste in smaller chunks and add to the beaten egg white with sugar, salt, and optional almond extract. Beat until well combined.
    almond paste broken up in a bowl with sugar
  • Use a small cookie scoop to portion out 1 inch balls, placing on prepared baking sheets about 1-2 inches apart. Dust balls with powdered sugar. If desired, gently press 2-3 almonds into the tops of the cookies, flattening slightly.
    overhead shot of almond cookies with sliced almonds and powered sugar
  • For best results, refrigerate the cookie sheet for 1-2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until edges and bottoms start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for 10 minutes before transporting to a wire rack to cool completely.

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    Notes

     
    FREEZing / storing 
    Either freeze after baking and cooled, or portion out into balls and freeze before baking. If baking from frozen, a few minutes will have to be added to the baking time. 
    Either baked or unbaked cookies may be frozen, well wrapped, up to three months. 
    Once they have cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
    If you need to store opened almond paste, wrap securely and store in the refrigerator up to three months or freeze up to six months. 
     
    WHERE TO BUY ALMOND PASTE 
    Almond paste can be purchased in the baking section of your grocery store. However, make sure you purchasing ALMOND PASTE and not almond filling, which is a different consistency and will not work in these cookies.
    It can also be purchased online through Amazon.  
     
    decorating ideas
    • Press sliced almonds in the tops and sprinkle with powdered sugar before baking
    • Drizzle melted chocolate over the tops and add sprinkles (Perfect for Christmas!)
    • Use your finger to form an indentation in the middle and add a halved maraschino cherry before baking
    • Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate for a "black and white" 
    • After baking immediately make an indentation in the middle using a small spoon. Fill with Nutella or jam. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg