Description
Delight in these Italian soft almond cookies with cherries featuring a tender, slightly grainy texture highlighted by almond flour and a hint of lemon zest. Sweetened with granulated sugar and topped with candied cherries, these cookies are lightly dusted in powdered sugar, baked to perfection for a soft center and delicate outer shell, making them an irresistible treat for all occasions.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups almond flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 lemon (zested)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 2 egg whites (from large eggs)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Topping
- 22 candied cherries (100 g or 3.5 ounces)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the almond flour, granulated sugar, and finely grated lemon zest. This mixture forms the flavorful base of your cookies.
- Add wet ingredients: Incorporate the egg whites and almond extract into the dry mix. Stir thoroughly with a fork or spatula until you achieve a uniform, moist dough free of dry spots.
- Knead the dough: Lightly knead the dough to ensure all ingredients are well combined. The dough should be soft, sticky, and slightly grainy due to the almonds.
- Form cookie balls: Tear off 22 even portions of dough, rolling each into a ball. Then, roll each ball generously in powdered sugar to coat.
- Arrange and top: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the lined cookie sheet. Press one candied cherry into the center of each ball, nesting it securely without flattening the cookie.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. The cookies should not brown; they will look nearly identical to their pre-baked state when removed from the oven.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. This step helps the outer shell to set while maintaining a soft, tender center.
- Store: Keep the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days to preserve freshness and texture.
Notes
- Do not overbake; the cookies should remain pale and soft inside.
- Ensure egg whites are well incorporated to bind the almond flour mixture.
- You can substitute candied cherries with glacé cherries if preferred.
- For a stronger almond flavor, consider toasting the almond flour lightly before mixing.
- These cookies are best enjoyed within a week for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
