These Chewy Almond Cookies are a family favorite in my house, and I’m so excited to share them with you! They’re almond cookies made with almond flour and just the right amount of almond extract, giving them that perfect nutty flavor. Topped with crunchy almonds, these cookies are buttery, soft, and practically melt in your mouth. They’re simple to make, delicately sweet, and the kind of treat that gets passed down through generations because everyone loves them. Give them a try, you won’t be able to have just one!
When I was a kid, my grandmother used to bake these almond cookies that made the whole house smell amazing. Now, I make them myself, and they’re just as special! The best part is how simple they are. You only need egg whites, powdered sugar, almond flour, and a little almond extract. That’s it!
When they bake, the edges get nice and crispy, while the centers stay soft and chewy, my favorite combination. They’re perfect for Christmas or any time you want a sweet treat. The light almond flavor is so comforting, it’s hard to stop at just one (or two!).
These cookies have a cool backstory, too. In Italy, especially Sicily, they’re called paste di mandorla or pasticcini di mandorla. Sicilian bakers often use almond flour and honey, but for this recipe, I keep it simple with powdered sugar.
Every time I bake these cookies, it reminds me of my childhood, and I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as my family does!
Jump to:
⭐Why You'll Love This Almond Cookies with Almond Flour
- Quick and Easy: These cookies taste fancy but are super simple and quick to make. With just a few basic ingredients, you can have a batch ready in no time, perfect for last-minute baking or when you need a treat fast.
- Made Without Butter: Unlike most cookie recipes, these almond cookies don’t use butter, making them a little lighter. The egg whites help bind everything together and give them structure.
- Customizable: You can easily change up the flavor with different toppings—try candied cherries, pistachios, or almonds for a unique twist that fits your taste or the season.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: These almond cookies are great for family gatherings, special events, or holiday parties. Their delicate look and melt-in-your-mouth texture make them a lovely dessert or gift.
🧾Almond Cookies Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make these almond cookies with almond flour:
For the Cookies:
- Almond Flour: I like finely ground almond flour for its rich, nutty flavor and moist texture. It’s the base of this recipe, making the cookies gluten-free and adding healthy fats and protein.
- Icing Sugar: This dissolves easily, giving the cookies a smooth, delicate sweetness. If you prefer, xylitol icing sugar works well for a low-carb option.
- Lemon Zest: Lemon zest adds a fresh, bright flavor and lovely aroma, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the almond taste.
- Egg Whites: Beaten egg whites make the cookies light, chewy, and help bind everything together.
- Vanilla & Almond Extracts: Vanilla adds warmth and richness, while almond extract deepens the nutty flavor, making the cookies extra aromatic and delicious.
For the Decorating:
- Icing Sugar: A light coating gives the cookies sweetness and a soft texture while keeping the inside chewy.
- Egg White (for brushing): Helps toppings stick and adds a shiny finish for a polished look.
- Almond Flakes: Add a toasty crunch and rustic elegance.
- Whole Almonds: Provide a bold flavor and classic centerpiece look.
- Glazed Cherries: Sweet, fruity pops of color, perfect for festive treats.
- Pistachios: Add a light crunch and vibrant green color for a beautiful finish.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Almond Cookies
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a bowl mix almond flour, icing sugar, and lemon zest.
2. Separate 3 egg whites, add vanilla and almond extracts and stir with a fork.
3. Gradually fold the lightly beaten egg whites into the almond flour mixture in three parts, mixing thoroughly each time.
4. Knead the dough briefly in the bowl until it’s soft, slightly wet, and sticky but holds together well.
5. Roll the dough into 20 tablespoon-sized balls and shape 5 into cylinders.
6. Coat them with icing sugar and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray.
7. Pinch 5 small dough balls into rounded triangles like four-cornered hats. Press a hole in the center of 5 balls, and press almond, candied cherry, and pistachio into each. Dip the cylinder shapes in egg white, coat with almond flakes.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (338°F) for about 13 minutes, or until lightly golden. Move the cookies to cooling rack and let them cool completely.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Room Temperature Ingredients: Let egg whites and other ingredients sit at room temperature for easier mixing and better dough consistency.
Fold Egg Whites Gently: Lightly beat the egg whites with a fork (not stiff) and fold them into the mixture gradually to keep the dough airy and achieve a soft, chewy cookie.
Knead to the Right Consistency: Knead the dough briefly until it’s soft and sticky but holds together. Adjust by adding almond flour if too wet, or more egg white if too dry.
Shape with Care: Handle the dough gently when forming shapes to avoid cracking. Pinch and press softly for clean edges.
Secure Toppings: Press almonds, cherries, or pistachios lightly into the dough so they stick but don’t sink while baking.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies after 12 minutes. They should be lightly golden and just set. Overbaking will make them dry.
Cool Before Moving: Let the cookies cool on the tray for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to firm up.
Store Properly: Place cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Use parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.
🍪More Cookies Recipes!
If you're loving this almond cookies, you'll also adore these tasty cookie recipes:
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.
📖 Recipe
Almond Cookies with Almond Flour
Ingredients
For Cookies:
- 400 g Almond Flour
- 100 g Icing Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- 120 g Egg Whites - 3 Egg whites
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
For Decorating:
- 50 g Icing Sugar
- 30 g Almond Flakes
- 40 g Egg White - 1 Egg White
- 7 g Almonds - 5 Pieces
- 7 g Glazed Cherries - 5 Pieces
- 5 g Pistachios - 5 Pieces
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the almond flour, icing sugar, and lemon zest.
- Separate 3 egg whites from the yolks, add vanilla extract and almond extract, then stir with a fork.
- Add the lightly beaten egg whites to the almond flour mixture in three batches and mix thoroughly, until well incorporated.
- Use your hands to knead it briefly in the bowl. The dough will be soft and somewhat wet and sticky but should hold together very well.
- Roll the dough into 20 balls, about one tablespoonful each, and 5 cylinders shape.
- Coat them well with icing sugar and place them on the baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- With your thumb and two fingers, pinch 5 little balls of dough to give it a rounded triangular shape, sort of like a four-corner hat.
- With your thumbs, make a hole in the center of 5 little balls.
- Coat the cylinder shape well with egg white and then cover with almond flakes.
- Place 5 whole almonds, 5 candied cherries, and 5 pistachios in the center of the almond cookies, while pressing down slightly.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 170° C( 338° F), for approximately 13 minutes, or until lightly golden brown in colour.
- Transfer the cookies to cooling racks and let the cookies cool down completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
These cookies looks very easy to make and they look amazingly delicious, thanks for the recipe