These Italian almond chocolate cookies or chocolate amaretti are naturally gluten-free, made with just 4 ingredients, and ready in 20 minutes!
These Italian almond chocolate cookies are one of my favorite Italian cookies, and they're basically a chocolate version of the popular amaretti cookies.
Delightfully crispy on the outside and irresistibly soft and chewy within, I promise these are the BEST chocolate almond cookies you'll ever try.
Made with just 4 ingredients and naturally gluten-free, they're so unbelievably easy to make you can even ask your kids to help out - my 5-year-old loves making them!
All the good reasons to make a batch or two during the holidays!
Speaking of holidays, if you're looking for a last-minute Christmas dessert, then look no further.
These chocolate amaretti cookies, together with this Christmas Tiramisu' and this Pandoro Christmas cake, are fantastic options for a quick holiday dessert and always get rave reviews!
Ingredients
These almond flour chocolate cookies are made with 4 simple ingredients you most probably have in your kitchen already.
Here's what you'll need:
- Almonds: You can use store-bought almond flour (also called almond meal), or make your own homemade almond flour with blanched almonds.
- Cocoa powder: I like to use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for this recipe, but you can also use natural cocoa.
- Egg white: You'll need two large egg whites, each should weigh around 45 g.
- Sugar: I like to use powdered sugar, as it gives the amaretti a smoother texture, but you can also use regular sugar and blend it until is very finely ground.
Additional ingredients
You can use this cookie recipe as a base and customize it with your favorite ingredients.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Coffee: add half a teaspoon of instant coffee to add an extra layer of flavor.
- Almond extract: for a deeper almond flavor, add ¼ teaspoon of almond extract to the cookie dough.
- Orange: Add ½ teaspoon of orange zest for a refreshing citrusy aroma.
How to make almond chocolate cookies
These almond chocolate cookies are incredibly easy to make— no special kitchen equipment needed, and they’re ready in just 20 minutes!
Here's a quick recipe overview with step-by-step pictures.
For the full recipe, scroll down to the easy-to-print recipe card.
STEP 1. In a large bowl mix almond flour, sugar, and cocoa powder in a bowl.
STEP 2. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until slightly foamy. Then slowly incorporate it into the almond mixture.
STEP 3. Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to form small even balls.
STEP 4. Roll the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar and flatten them slightly with the palm of your hand.
Bake for 15 minutes. The cookies should still feel quite soft when you remove from the oven. Let them cool then serve.
Baking tips
- You can form the chocolate amaretti with a small ice cream scoop. This will help you make evenly-sized cookies.
- If the dough is very sticky, dust your hands in powdered sugar, then form the cookie dough balls.
- You can roll the dough balls into fine sugar or powdered sugar.
- Let the almond cookies cool completely on a cooling rack, this will help them achieve the perfect crunchy and chewy texture.
Storage tips
Store your chocolate amaretti cookies in an airtight container or sealed jar. Keep them in a cool spot in your kitchen.
- Fridge: Place the cookies in airtight container, and refrigerate up to a week.
- Freezer: Freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1 hour to prevent sticking. Transfer to a zip-lock bag, layering with parchment to prevent sticking.
More Italian cookie recipes to try
Looking for more traditional Italian cookie recipes to try?
Some of our family favourites cookies include these citrusy limoncello cookies, these delicious anginetti cookies , these breakfast-perfect honey cookies and these easy-to-customize Italian butter cookies!
Did You Try This Recipe?
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Recipe
Almond Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
- 180 g almond flour
- 220 g powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting the cookies
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 60 g egg whites, approx the egg whites from 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/360°F and arrange the baking tray onto the middle shelf of the oven.
- In a large bowl, mix together almond flour, powdered sugar and cocoa powder, until combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg whites until foamy, then slowly incorporate them into the almond flour mixture.
- Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to form small even balls. The mixture should be sticky but fairly firm, and the dough balls should hold their shape when placed on the baking tray. If the dough is very sticky, dust your hands in powdered sugar, then form the cookie dough balls.
- Although optional, you can rest the cookie dough balls in the fridge for 30 minutes up to 12 hours before baking them.
- Roll the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar (or fine cane sugar) then gently flatten using the back of a spoon or the palm of your hand, and return them onto the baking tray.
- Place the almond chocolate cookies in the oven and bake them for 15 minutes. The cookies should have a slightly crispy surface, and should still feel quite soft when removed from the oven.
- Transfer the chocolate amaretti cookies on a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely, then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Salwa says
It seems delicious.. 🤤
What if I didn't want to use cocoa powder? Should I substitute it with something else or just omit it? I would also add some dry cranberries. Would that work?? I'd appreciate your reply ☺️
Andrea says
Hi Salwa, if you want to make these without cocoa powder simply follow this recipe for italian almond cookies.
Tammy Wildenberg says
Loved the simplicity of these delicious little cookie… bliss
Dominique says
Loved the chocolate, I’ve now tried it again replacing the cocoa powder with the same amount of freeze dried raspberry powder. They are fantastic and a great color!
roselouise says
Can you freeze these? Thanks
Andrea says
Yes, these chocolate almond cookies freeze very well! Defrost in the fridge overnight then serve 🙂
Jyotika Patel says
Is it possible to omit the cocoa powder in this recipe? I cannot each chocolate.
Thanks
Andrea says
Hi, absolutely! Just follow the traditional amaretti recipe