Nothing is better with a cup of coffee than deliciously chewy amaretti cookies.
It's the traditional way to enjoy them after all, and now you can make your own.
Amaretti cookies are naturally gluten-free and this recipe is vegan too!
Naturally gluten free chewy amaretti cookies are traditionally served with coffee, but they can also be sandwiched with jam or ganache for an extra treat.
The almond flavour of these delicious amaretti cookies makes them a wonderful treat that tastes good on its own or sandwiched with a spread in the middle, such as a ganache or fruity jam.
Lots of cookies and other sweets are guilty pleasures, but this treat offers a lot of reasons to indulge, whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or soy-free.
But let's not get hung up on health benefits.
After all, this is a cookie, and it's a good one, too.
Made with Alcohol
One key ingredient in Amaretti cookies is Amaretto, an Italian liqueur made from almonds.
The word "amaretto" means 'a little bitter' and that is why it's such a nice added component to a cup of coffee, especially with some Bailey's Irish Cream added (but I digress!).
This almond liqueur plays heavily into the flavouring of this exceptional cookie, that you can definitely enjoy with a drink or two.
The slight bitterness of the liqueur helps to balance out the sweetness in these cookies very well, so you won't mind reaching for more and more of these vegan, gluten-free wonders.
Timing isn't Everything
To make these vegan chewy amaretti cookies just right is going to take some time.
The process is a bit longer than when you make other types of cookies. That's the bad news.
The good news is that they are really easy to make, especially if you have a stand mixer.
In fact, most of the time spent on the recipe is passive with only 20 minutes or so dedicated to the actual hard work of preparing these delicious concoctions.
These amazing amaretti cookies are vegan, gluten free, oil free and soy free so they can be enjoyed by everyone.
How to Make Vegan Amaretti Cookies
Makes 35-40 cookies
Ingredients
2 ½ c / 240g blanched almond flour
6 tbsp / 45g powdered sugar
2/3 c / 130g granulated sugar
½ c / 120ml aquafaba (the liquid drained from about 1 can of chickpeas)
¼ tsp / 1g salt
1 tsp / 2g lemon zest
1 tbsp / 15ml Amaretto liqueur
Powdered sugar (icing sugar) to coat the cookies (about 1 cup/115g)
Instructions
1. Combine the almond flour, powdered (icing) sugar, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl.
Sift or whisk to break up any clumps and evenly mix together.
2. In a large metal or glass bowl beat the aquafaba with salt using electric beaters or a stand mixer on medium high speed until soft peaks form.
This will take approximately 5 minutes.
3. Gently stir in the lemon zest.
4. Fold in the almond flour mixture until completely combined.
5. Stir in the Amaretto. The dough will be sticky and soft, but possible to form into a ball.
6. Cover the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes, longer if it is a warm day.
7. Preheat the oven to 325°F / 160 C.
Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking sheets.
8. Once the dough is chilled, place the powdered (icing) sugar for coating into a small bowl.
9. Using a teaspoon, scoop heaping amounts of the dough (about 2 tsp balls).
Roll between your hands until a ball forms.
10. Douse each dough ball in powdered sugar until completely coated.
Place at least 2" / 5cm apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Repeat with the remaining dough until all used up.
11. Place the baking sheet on a rack in the up 1/3 of the oven – the bottoms are prone to over cooking.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown under the sugar.*
12. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely.
12. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes:
* If you are baking 2 sheets at once, keep them in the upper portion of the oven as much as possible. Switch positions of the baking sheets after about 12 minutes of baking.
Baking multiple sheets at once may cause baking to take longer.
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