The classic Italian cookie now as a healthy gluten-free, vegan, and paleo recipe! Grain-Free Amaretto Cookies made with almond flour and no added sugars or oils will be a delicious addition to the dessert platter!
Those things we always have but never use. That’s me and my endless bags of almond flour. You’d think that this alternative flour girl would have a plethora of almond flour recipes, but that is nowhere near true. I’ve even used hazelnut flour before, but not almond. Is it almond neglect or just my preference of getting my almond dose through other sources (i.e. milk and “butter“).
I guess I just never found the right recipe to bake with it. Almond flour (or meal) is a big paleo ingredient and a lot of the time recipes with almond flour requires eggs (ick!). But with me not a fan of food waste (especially expensive almond flour!), I had to find a use! ‘Tis the season for cookie baking and classic Italian Amaretto cookies are a favorite!
Amaretto is a sweet almond liqueur and used in the classic almond cookie. I’m not sure I ever had an amaretto cookie back in the day, but an almond based cookie sounded pretty fabulous to me now and the perfect use for that almond flour! Let me tell you, almond flour smells really good! Ha! It’s so true! Baking with almond flour is just like roasting yummy almond in the oven and that smell is even more glorious!
I made these amaretto cookies totally almond with no oil and only natural sweetener. I also took the American “cheater” approach and used pure almond extract instead of actual expensive almond liqueur. Don’t worry, no shame is using what we can easily get our hands on! To think of it, I rarely use my almond extract too! These amaretto cookies really got the neglected ingredients going!
These are a bit soft, very almondy, sweet(ish), and with a hint of vanilla. They are perfect for dunking (all Italian cookies are!), simple dessert plant snacking, or crumbled on some dairy-free yogurt or even on oatmeal! You could even make a pie crust with them! Needless to say, you’ll find plenty of uses for these amaretto cookies besides just holiday munching! You’ll also have a perfect excuse to whip out the almond flour!
Grain-Free Amaretto Cookies
Grain-Free Amaretto Cookies
The classic Italian cookie now as a healthy gluten-free, vegan, and paleo recipe! Grain-Free Amaretto Cookies made with almond flour and no added sugars or oils will be a delicious addition to the dessert platter!
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 16 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Almond Meal
- 2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 Cup Granular Erythritol
- 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/2 Tsp Almond Extract
- 1/4 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Erythritol (to shake)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine and mix together all ingredients (not the powdered erythritol) to form your cookie dough.
- Roll 16 (1 tablespoon each) balls and place them in a plastic bag with the powdered erythritol. Give it a light shake to coat the balls.
- Prepare a baking sheet with a Silpat and space the powdered dough balls out evenly. Press the balls down a bit with your fingers to flatten them.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the heated oven, remove and let cool. Store in an airtight container or let them get stale for an even better “crumble” topping if desired!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Nothing like the smell of fresh baked cookies (or roasted almonds!) Another flour that I rarely use, coconut. The day I made these amaretto cookies I also tested something out with coconut flour. The coconut flour was an after thought though and the recipe ended up being a major fail! Stay tuned, though, I’ll get it right eventually 😉
So tell me:
+ Do you like to bake with almond flour?
+ What’s something you always have but never use?
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Deborah Davis says
These Grain-Free Amaretto Cookies made with almond flour and no added sugars or oils make a healthy and delicious treat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Marla says
HI Rebecca,
I love the idea of a grain free cookie and these look and sound delicious, healthy and perfect for any time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
These are a favorite!
kimmythevegan says
These cookies sound really great Rebecca! I rarely use my almond flour, but always love the way the flavour and texture comes out. And I like your spin on amaretto with the almond extract! I’m always looking for budget-friendly baking tips =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think I’ll be using it more now!
Agness Walewinder says
It’s too bad I’m seeing these cookies now, when Christmas’s gone, because I would love to make them for my family. They look absolutely amazing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
These aren’t just Christmas cookies XP
Miz Helen says
Your cookies look delicious, a very special treat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Sure are!
Farrah says
You sure weren’t kiddin’ about having a bilion delicious cookie recipes! :D!!! These look amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Gotta make the holidays COOKIE-days!
Wendy says
Wouldn’t these be fantastic with a mug of tea! I love baking your recipes for my gluten-free daughter. Thank you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
What one’s have you tried?
Jamie@The Mom Gene says
Amaretto is my all time favorite flavor. One of the layers on my wedding cake was amaretto! Thanks for these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O wow! That must have been amazing!
Jamie@The Mom Gene says
Kahlua and Grand Marnier were the other layers : )
Annmarie says
Love amaretto! These look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Emily says
Yay, I’m so excited you were able to do it and not have to use eggs! They look beautiful.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Obviously not! No eggs on this blog!
Carol says
Great recipe – pinned and shared
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
I used to look for a vegan version of amaretto cookies years back without luck! So loving this recipe right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
At long last!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
I love amaretto! When I was younger I used to drink amaretto sours with my mom, LOL! There is no drinking age in Greece where she is from so a cocktail with your parents was totally ok. SO good and I bet these cookies are just as good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha 😉 Well now you can give your US kids these virgin cookies instead 😉
Mandy says
I bet your house smelled AMAZING while these were baking! Goodness, these look so perfectly golden…I’m pretty sure I’d have a hard time stopping at just two cookies 😉 I am so surprised that you don’t bake more with almond! Almond flour (and meal) used to be my go-to…such a magical, buttery, slightly sweet flour. Now coconut. There’s a flour I seem to always have on hand, but rarely use because every time I experiment with it, I fail! My goal is to master that silly flour in 2017 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Coconut needs so much moisture (i.e. that’s why egg eater like it…) Not us! BUT we shall CONCUR!!
Laura | Wandercooks says
These need to get in my belly right now! Amaretto cookies are my fav but I’ve never tried making them at home. Like you, I’ve got a neglected bag of almond flour ready to go, just waiting for this spark of inspiration. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This is so perfect then! I hope you make some for the holidays!
Linda @ Veganosity says
I can only imagine how wonderful they must have smelled while baking. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The entire pantry smelled like them even boxed up!
Laura @ KneadWhine says
I just love almond flavours – these cookies look great and I have a few gluten free friends in mind for them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you and them enjoy some!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Amaretto cookies were always around growing up! But I can’t remember the last time I had any! The smell! These look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know!! The smell (and taste) is so iconic!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I love the taste of almond and amaretto! I’ve been looking for an amaretto cookie recipe. Your cookies sound like just the recipe I’ve been looking for. Thank you.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Awesome! I hope you do try them!
Platter Talk says
My Italian friends introduced me to this crispy delight years ago! One of my favorites.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O, awesome!! I bet they have a fantastic recipe!
The Food Hunter says
I love almond cookies. Sharing this with a friend
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Alright, then!
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all says
These look so so good! I love that these are gluten-free and vegan AND paleo! Major score that I found this cookie recipe! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, right? Fit for (almost) all!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com says
These would go so well with the fresh coffee that I’m enjoying at the moment!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That would be a great way to start the day!
Sabrina | The Tomato Tart says
These cookies look amazing. I know it’s a recipe everyone is going to love and can eat too, since they’re gluten free!. Cant wait to try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yes! Thanks, Sabrina!
Barbara says
I’ve never had amaretto cookies. These look really good, Rebecca. Yum.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands says
I bet these filled the house with an amazing smell! I love amaretto and can’t remember the last time I had anything with it, well a drink awhile ago but before that it had been awhile.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Now you can pair that drink with a cookie 😉
Sharon @What The Fork says
I love how these came out! I love baking with almond flour too and smelling that oh-so-wonderful smell!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s glorious!
Elizabeth DiBurro says
I wish you lived close by so I could help you taste test. Thanks for the recipe. They look delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, if there’s anything the holidays teach us it’s that cookies are shippable 😉
Courtney says
I don’t know that I’ve ever had an amaretto cookie! They look almondy and delicious! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
If you love almonds, you’ll love these!
Nicole Dawson says
I can’t bake with almond flour due to a food allergy but I wish I could at times (like when I see recipes like this). Maybe one day! Until then, I’ll just look at the photos and day dream 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
xoxo
Casey the College Celiac says
Looks like your kitchen is overflowing with tasty cookies this year!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
And each one is loved 😉
Kelly says
Love that these are soft with a sweet touch of vanilla. Sounds perfect!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They came out to be one bite of delish!
Leigh Suznovich says
Oh I love Amaretto cookies and this version sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you so much!
Evi @ greenevi says
I looooooooove amaretto cookies! Haven’t had one since I went vegan, so I’m definitely making these soonish! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Oooo, got to make it happen then!
Cathy @ Planet Veggie says
I’m not a fan of cookies that are too sweet so these look perfect for me. Thanks for the recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You will love these! They are just right!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Yum! I love homemade amaretto cookies! These sound great!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Raia says
I’ve never tried amaretto cookies before. They look pretty delicious, though. I love that they’re grain-free, too! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You would love them!
nadia says
I love almond flour and use it quite a lot in my baking! It’s quite expensive here in the UK so I usually mix it with things like oat flour and buckwheat to make it last longer 😛 These amaretto sound amazing 😀 and so healthy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s crazy expensive! But so is almond butter and plain old almonds!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
This look great, Rebecca! It’s always nice to have a healthy cookie option 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Sure!
Jacinta says
These look amazing! I love baking with almond flour, though I don’t do it that often. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s fun to experiment with it!
Cricket Plunkett says
You’re recipes always look incredible! I just finished all my cookie dough making, but I’ll add these to next years list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha! I’m pretty cookied out too 😉
Nutrimom says
As an Italian girl whose Grandmother always made cookies, I LOVE this! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Fantastic! I’m so glad!