Vegan amaretti cookies

Vegan amaretti cookies

vegan amaretti cookies

While I am dreaming of a white Xmas – which, let’s face it does not look likely – I have decided to make myself a tray of snow-covered cookies instead 🙂 . They are my eggless take on the famous Italian almond cookies amaretti morbidi, except that morbidi does not mean what you probably think it does. It simply means ‘soft’ as, like their traditional counterparts, they are soft and chewy on the inside and a touch crispy on the outside. Heaven! Especially with a cup of good black coffee!

Traditionally these almond cookies rely heavily on eggs, but the longer I am a vegan chef (although I never tend to think of myself as such, I am simply a fussy 😛 amateur cook who enjoys a bit of creative tinkering), the more I am convinced that anything non-vegans can eat, we can eat too.

In this recipe, my trusted old friend aquafaba has done all the heavy lifting and while it’s been ages since I had the original version, I honestly don’t think anyone would be able to tell that these are vegan. Once I refined the recipe, I was thrilled with how they came out and they are now officially part of my Xmas cookie repertoire. They also make a gorgeous Xmas present and I could bet that the recipient would think that you got them in some fancy Italian deli in town.

vegan amaretti cookies aquafaba whipped

vegan amaretti cookies sugar coating

vegan amaretti cookies hand

vegan amaretti cookies gift top down

vegan amaretti cookies gift

makes
15
PREP
20 min
COOKING
17 min
makes
15
PREPARATION
20 min
COOKING
17 min
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
  1. Preheat the oven to 175° C / 350° F and line a large baking tray with a piece of baking paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the ground almonds, sugar and baking powder.
  3. Place the aquafaba (use only 60 ml / ¼ cup if using amaretto*) and lemon juice in a spotlessly clean bowl – even the tiniest grease residue will inhibit the aquafaba from reaching stiff peaks.
  4. Whip the aquafaba with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form – you need to be able to invert the bowl over your head and the mixture should not move at all.
  5. Gently fold in 2 tbsp of whipped aquafaba into the mixture and then fold the rest in gently.
  6. Add Amaretto (if using), vanilla paste and almond extract. Mix really well.
  7. Form the mixture into balls (I made fifteen 26 g / 0.9 oz balls) and roll them in the icing sugar.
  8. Place the cookies on the prepared baking tray, making sure you leave enough space between them. You can leave them as they are, or gently flatten them a little with your palm. The former look cuter (I think), but the latter get a crispier shell once baked.
  9. Bake for about 17 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned and cracked in places. Allow them to cool completely to crisp up and become less fragile.
  10. Store them in an airtight jar for up to 5 days.

NOTES
*You can add a dash of amaretto liqueur like Disaronno for more flavour. If you do, replace 1 tbsp (15 ml) of aqauafaba with 1 tbsp (15 ml) or amaretto. Do not add amaretto until step 6.

*I personally think that 125 g (½ cup + 2 tbsp) of sugar is enough, but if you would like them sweeter, use a couple of tablespoons more. I have noticed that traditional amaretti recipes that use eggs, also use more sugar.

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NUTRITIONAL INFO
calories
121
6%
sugars
9 g
10%
fats
7 g
10%
saturates
1 g
3%
proteins
4 g
7%
carbs
9 g
4%
*per cookie
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5.0
56 reviews, 95 comments
REVIEWS & QUESTIONS
Sheri:
OMG I just made these cookies, months after the holidays, and they are the best! Made exactly as directed, using 1 T of Amaretto, and left on the pan to cool. This recipe will definitely become a go to for Christmas gifts. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you Sheri, I am delighted to hear that these amaretti have been such a success and that you are planning to make them again. I'm delighted. x Ania
Mary Ann S.:
This recipe tastes exactly like my aunt's famous amaretti cookies (non-vegan, white flour), which I thought I would never be able to have again. I made them at Christmas time and even my 91yr old italian father said they taste like the real thing - and he never gives out such compliments! Making them again today, which prompted me to write this review!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you so much for your kind words, Mary Ann. I'm delighted to hear that this recipe has made you and your family members so happy and brought back your happy food memories - that's priceless. And thank you for taking the time to let me know that they were a success, I really appreciate it. x Ania
Genevieve:
This is a fantastic recipe! I don't really like the taste of almond extract so I left it out, and I added some orange zest. The cookies came out very delicious. Thank you!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you so much, Genevieve! I am delighted to hear that these cookies were such a success (they looked great on your Insta!) and thank you for the review, I really appreciate it. x Ania
Sherbie:
Hi loved the recipe. But I might of done it wrong as in I used amaretto and essence and lemon juice. I think they might have been perfect if I had not done that or if I had used some xylitol to make them a bit sweeter. I will make them again at some point to see how they turn out.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Sherbie,
    Sounds like you like them a little sweeter, which can easily be adjusted as per my notes under the recipe. No other reader found them insufficiently sweet and neither do I so perhaps you are simply used to sweeter desserts. Using amaretto, extract and lemon juice is absolutely fine. I worry that you've used xylitol instead of sugar, which is maybe we they came out a bit different to what you expected? Amaretti rely on sugar not just for sweetness but also structure. Hope this helps! Ania
Sara:
These were the most delicious cookies I have ever made. We made these for Christmas and everyone who had one asked for the recipe and was floored when they found out they were vegan! Next time we’ll have to make a double batch because the only downside was that they disappeared too quickly.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks so much, Sara! That's some compliment! I am so happy to hear that they were such a success at your Christmas, even with the non-vegans - that's always great to hear. Thank you so much for taking the time to review, I really appreciate it. x Ania
Inge Diverio:
Quite simply, the most delicious biscuit recipe I’ve ever followed! I’m so pleased with the results that this recipe won’t be saved just for Christmas.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you, Inge! I am delighted to hear that you loved this recipe so much and that you plan to make them again. And thank you for taking the time to review, I really appreciate it. x Ania
Odrée:
I've made this recipe two times. Those are the modifications have made the second time, if it can helps anyone.
I found them really sweet... I used 1/2 cup + only 1 tbs of caster sugar (super fine sugar for Americans) and a bit more of Ameretto, the taste was better like this in my opinion. The biggest issue (and my oven is new) was the time, 17, 18 minutes was not enough time for my cookies, they were not 'golden', so watch them carefully. For me 20 minutes was the right time in the oven.
Thank you for this recipe, I LOVE IT !
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks Odrée, I am really happy that you enjoyed these! Yes, the amount of sugar is something you can adjust as per my notes. As for the baking time, each and every oven is different and while I try to give people a good idea of how long to bake for, it is necessary to judge by looking at colour/texture etc, which is why I also try to give this information too. Thanks for taking the time to leave this lovely review, I appreciate it. x Ania
Wow - these are amazing! Second batch made within a week and they are so more-ish it was hard not to just scoff the lot. Brilliant presents. Added a little lemon zest with the second batch and left out the vanilla - loved them both ways. Thank you!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks Jo, I am so happy to hear that and yes, you can flavour them in lots of ways and you cannot go wrong with a bit of lemon zest, I agree. x Ania
Severine Chu:
Love this recipe so much ! Easy to make and so delicious ! I like to make them in advance and store the cookies in a metallic box (even though they don’t last long). Thank you !
    Ania
    Ania:
    Aw thanks so much, Severine, I am delighted to hear that you like this recipe so much and yes, I agree, I find it difficult to leave them alone too ;) . Thanks so much for taking the time to review, I really appreciate it x Ania
Miche:
This is an easy to follow recipe that results in small morsels of delicious treats. They are perfect with a coffee, or a tea. Perfect as a gift and delightful as a special biscuit for friends. An absolute winner of a recipe.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Aw thanks so much, Miche! I am so happy to hear that these were such a hit with you and thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review - I really appreciate it. x Ania
Maureen Longo:
Hi Ania, Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I made these for the first time last week and they were perfect, I couldn't believe I made them! I used Rapadura sugar instead of caster as per your measurement and they were great, soft and chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside. I tried with and without the icing sugar but I definitely found that the icing sugar helped them crisp up more on the outside. Now I just made a double batch but it seems that double the almond essence is not enough to give that wonderful almond hit so next time I'll try an extra 1/2 teaspoon if I do a double batch again and maybe slightly less sugar as double the sugar seemed too much in the double batch.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you Maureen, I am delighted to hear that these turned out well for you and that you enjoyed them. Yes, sometimes double batching recipes need some tweaks but I am sure your next double batch will be spot on. x Ania
Carolyn:
What is the icing sugar? No mention of what it is or how much
    Ania
    Ania:
    It's what you may know as confectioners sugar. It's hard to quantify how much, but about 1 cup (140 g) for this many cookies. Hope this helps! x Ania
Dee:
I have been making these cookies for a while. They're amazing, and SO easy and quick to make. They blew the socks off my Italian BFF and my Italian hubs. You'd never know they're oil-free!!! My 9yo loves them too...so I'm making 2 batches for Xmas...at the in-laws ;)
    Ania
    Ania:
    Yay, I am so happy to hear that these cookies won the hearts of your Italian family members, that's really cool. And thank you so much for taking the time to review, I really appreciate it. x Ania
Candii:
I was wondering how long these can be kept, I made them last year for hampers (amazing!!) everyone loved them so thank you. this year however I need to make them 2 weeks earlier, will they keep?
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Candii,
    Thank you, I am so happy to hear that you and all your giftees enjoyed these cookies. I have not tried making them this far in advance, but I think the key thing would be to lock them away from moisture in an air-tight box. How about freezing them before or after baking instead? I would say the former would be the safest thing to do. Hope this helps! x Ania
      Candii:
      Thank you so much for replying, I will do that and hope for the best. If they make into the hampers, I've had to test a few you see - haha!
        Ania
        Ania:
        Haahaha, yes, definitely - testing is a must - it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it ;) My pleasure and I hope they will be enjoyed by the giftees (should they get any at all :P)...Merry Christmas! x Ania
Andra:
Cookie season is officially upon us and I started it in high gear with Ania‘s recipes - this one is another keeper. Simply scrumptious! I left out the amaretto as I didn’t have it. My only note, not sure if helpful to others: 1- my oven needed 3-5 extra min to bake at said temperature 2- it is important to let them cool completely (which I didn’t yikes) in order for them to maintain their crisp exterior).
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you Andra! I am so happy to hear that you've enjoyed this recipe and thank you for your comments. Yes, definitely, baking time is only a close approximation as people's ovens tend to differ a lot. Hahah, yes, letting them cool is crucial but I don't blame you, I am too very impatient when it comes to cookies :P . As always, thanks so much for coming back to review, I really appreciate it. x Ania
Kim Phillips:
These are so insanely good that after my first bite I laughed deliriously and said, “Are you kidding me?” out loud even though I was alone. I proceeded to take them to a small party where people were literally moaning as they bit into them. They all wanted the recipe.
If you want a delicious treat, bake these. If you want to be the most popular person amongst your friends, bake these. If you want to feel like a kitchen goddess who could rule the world should she wish, bake these.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Aw, thanks so much Kim, I am absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed them that much - a dream reaction of every recipe developer out there :) I am so happy and thank you so much for taking the time to rate and review this recipe - it helps me out a lot. x Ania
Eleonora:
Made these today - incredible
I followed the recipe exactly as it is. Beautiful. The only thing I changed the baking time. I baked for 20 min and mine are still a little paler than the ones pictured on the website. Obviously I need to fine tune this. Only little question I had was the cooling part. I took them out of the oven once baking time finished. Should I have left them in there longer with oven switched off?
I’ll be making these again for Christmas- I am sure they will be a hit! Thank you so much for this recipe!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks so much, Eleonora! I'm decided to hear that you enjoyed them so much and plan to make them again for Christmas. In terms of baking time, each oven is different so don't be afraid to bake them for longer (or increase the oven temperature) if needed. I take them out of the oven as soon as I am happy with how they look - if they leave them in the oven too cool down they will dry out too much inside. Hope this helps! Ania
Bindu:
One of the best vegan recipe for Amaretti. So simple and easy.
The amaretti cookies were delicious and the family loved them.
Thanks
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thank you so much, Bindu. I am really pleased to hear that you and your family loved these and thank you for coming back to review the recipe - I really appreciate it. x Ania
Vicky:
I've made these time and time again, they always work perfectly and they're so easy. One of those real "you'd never guess it's vegan" bakes! Absolutely love it. Must try the pistachio version!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Aw, thanks so much for your kind words, Vicky! I am so pleased to hear that you enjoy these cookies so much and thanks so much for coming back to review - I really appreciate it. x Ania
J K:
Amazing recipe, so easy to make,with patience you can create the same.
Had been looking for a eggless option, being a vegetarian.
Really thanks appreciate.
Wish you lots of success and do create more.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks JK - I am delighted to hear that this recipe has worked so well for you and thanks for coming back to review, I really appreciate it – reviews help my work to be found. x Ania
Melissa Davis:
I made these for my son to hand out to his classmates after his presentation on Italy. We have a lot of food allergies in our house - gluten and egg included - but my son recently outgrew his almond allergy, so we were so excited to try this recipe. I flattened ours a bit with a fork and pressed some sliced almonds into the top before baking and increased the baking time by about five minutes to suit our oven…and this recipe did NOT disappoint! Thank you so much for sharing it!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks so much, Melissa! I'm delighted that they were a success and that your son and his classmates were able to enjoy these, despite their allergies. x Ania
Robin - @vegdork:
I absolutely loved this recipe! So easy to make and they came out perfect. Thanks so much for an amazing vegan ammaretti cookie recipe! You made my boyfriend very happy on his birthday ☺️
    Ania
    Ania:
    Aw thanks so much, Robin. I am delighted that you and your boyfriend have enjoyed these so much and thank you so much for taking the time to review - I really appreciate it! x Ania
noa:
thank you ania, for the recipe and for the quick response in the chat. love this cookies and your blog!!!!
    Ania
    Ania:
    I'm delighted to hear that, Noa! And thank you so much for taking the time to review - I really appreciate it. x Ania
Katherine:
These are sensational! I baked them for gifts and I love offering something that fulfills so many food restrictions but you’d never know it. I then made them for my family and they’re a new family fave! First time using aquafaba and it was magical. Made once without amaretto and once with, delicious both ways. I also halved the sugar and that was perfect for us, but my family always halves sugar in cookie recipes so your mileage may vary.
    Ania
    Ania:
    I'm so happy to hear that they were such a success with your nearest and dearest, Katherine! You are right, they are really great for people with different food allergies - I never thought of that myself...but of course! Thank you for taking the time to let me and my readers know - I really appreciate it. x Ania
Niamh:
Once again, these cookies were a huge success! Ania’s recipes are practically foolproof and never recognisably different to non-vegan versions. This is one of maybe three sites that I return to often for vegan recipes & inspiration!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Aw, thank you so much Niamh! I am so happy when people enjoy my recipes and your comment has made my day! So glad that the cookies came out so well. x Ania
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