Anyone looking for an alternative to standard cookie recipes or anyone trying to keep gluten free will enjoy these almond cookies. Made from almond meal, egg whites and sugar, these cookies are high protein, full of beneficial nutrients such as omega-3’s and are sure to please any cookie lover with their crisp exterior and soft, chewy middle.
Sweet Almonds
Almonds, although frequently referred to as nuts, are actually the seed of the fruit from the almond tree. Indigenous to the Middle East, almond trees come in two varieties. The sweet almond, those typically used in baking, is characterized by white flowers, while the bitter almond blooms pink.
Sweet almonds have been used in various types of recipes for centuries. Some popular uses have included almond butter, marzipan, amoretti, nougat and macaroons. Almonds are high in protein, dietary fiber and omega-3’s making them an excellent substitute for flour in many dishes.
Making Almond Flour
Almond meal or almond flour can be purchased at most supermarkets in the baking section, or in the natural foods section. Those wanting a fresher taste or bakers who prefer to make all ingredients from scratch can make almond flour at home very easily.
Almond flour can be made of whole, raw almonds including the skins for extra fiber, or from blanched almonds, which have first been boiled and the skins removed. Both will work well in this recipe, and almond flour is derived from both in the same way.
Fill a food processor or coffee grinder about half way with whole almonds and pulse the machine on and off until a finely ground meal has emerged. Almond flour is not as fine as wheat flour, and will have more texture than traditional flours. Sift out any larger, unprocessed chunks, rather than over processing the meal.
Almond Paste Recipe
Makes Enough for 24 Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 lb of almonds, ground into almond meal
- 1 16oz package of confectioner’s sugar
- 3 Egg Whites
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly
- Lightly beat egg whites and add to almond mixture
- Mix in almond extract and knead mixture with hands until all ingredients have been thoroughly combined and paste is sticky to the touch
Almond Cookie Recipe
Yields 24 Cookies
Ingredients
- Almond Paste
- 1 Cup of Granulated Sugar
- 6 Egg Whites
- 1 Cup pignoli nuts (optional)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until thoroughly blended
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and lightly butter a cookie sheet
- Drop golf ball sized portions of cookie on to the sheet about 1” apart. Cookies will not spread when baking, so they can be flattened slightly at this time
- If desired, roll the cookies in the pignoli nuts first, and then place on the cookie sheet
- Bake the cookies for 30 minutes, or until exterior is golden brown
Serve with spicy ginger tea for an extra treat
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