Description
These Soft & Chewy Almond Paste Cookies are a delightful treat featuring rich almond flavor and a tender, chewy texture. Perfect for almond lovers, they combine almond paste and almond extract to create a sweet, nutty cookie that is elegantly simple and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz almond paste
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Garnish
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, break the almond paste into small pieces. Add both granulated sugar and powdered sugar, mixing with your hands or a spoon until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg whites, almond extract, and salt to the crumbly mixture. Continue mixing until the dough becomes smooth and sticky, indicating that it’s ready to be shaped.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing each ball about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Garnish: If desired, gently press sliced almonds onto the top of each cookie to add texture and enhance the almond flavor.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked while still remaining soft inside.
- Cool and Dust: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the sheet. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Before serving, dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake the cookies; they should remain soft and chewy with just lightly golden edges.
- If you don’t have almond paste, you can use marzipan as a substitute.
- For extra almond flavor, use pure almond extract rather than imitation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free variation, ensure that your almond paste and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
