5 from 20 votes
Ricciarelli
Ricciarelli are soft almond cookies flavored with orange and lemon zest, subtly enhanced by bitter almond and vanilla extracts. This Tuscan treat features a cracked sugary surface from a dusting of powdered sugar and a tender, moist interior. The lightly golden cookies hold their shape and offer rich almond aroma balanced by citrus notes.
Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings:
20
cookies
Calories:
118 kcal
Course:
Dessert, Baked Goods
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 egg room temperature, white
- ¾ cup sugar
- orange grated zest
- lemon grated zest
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted, aka icing sugar
- powdered sugar for dusting, extra
- 200 grams almond flour
- 2 tablespoons bitter almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 320℉/160℃
- In a mixing bowl, rub the zest into the sugar to release the fragrant oils into the sugar. Mix in the almond flour and icing sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites till soft peaks are formed. Slowly stir mix in the vanilla and almond extracts. Gently fold this into the almond flour mixture and combine to form a moist dough.
- (This step is optional - wrap the dough into long sausage shapes, cover and chill for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.)
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Break off small amounts of dough and form into flattened oval shapes. Dust liberally with icing sugar and leave on the counter for approximately 30 minutes to dry slightly.
- Bake for 15 minutes, till small cracks form on the surface. Remove from oven and allow to cool. They should still be soft but will harden on cooling. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Chilling the dough wrapped in wax paper overnight before baking deepens flavor and creates cracked surfaces.
- Shape dough into flattened ovals; dust with powdered sugar and let it rest about 30 minutes before baking.
- Ricciarelli remain white to light golden and develop small cracks on top when baked properly.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain softness and freshness.
Nutrition Information
Calories
118kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
5mg
(0%)
Potassium
7mg
(0%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20 cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 118
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 118kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 5mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 7mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.