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Authentic Ricciarelli Recipe

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Authentic Ricciarelli are soft, chewy almond cookies from Siena, Tuscany. Made with almond flour, egg whites, and orange zest, these traditional Italian treats have a signature cracked surface, delicate sweetness, and melt-in-your-mouth texture—perfect for holidays or with coffee.

Ingredients

2 egg whites, at room temperature

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

Zest of 1 orange

200 g almond flour

200 g powdered sugar, plus more for dusting

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg whites with lemon juice, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest until foamy.
  2. Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour into the bowl and stir gently until a soft, sticky dough forms.
  3. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours (up to 3 days).
  4. Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Dust your work surface with powdered sugar. Roll the dough into a long rope about 3 cm (1 inch) thick and cut into 25 equal pieces (about 20 g each).
  6. Coat each piece in powdered sugar, shape into an oval or grain-of-rice form, and place on the baking sheet 2 inches apart.
  7. Lightly wet your fingers and dab the tops of each cookie. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar to encourage cracking during baking.
  8. Bake for 5 minutes at 150°C (300°F), then increase the temperature to 170°C (340°F) and bake another 5–6 minutes. Finally, reduce to 160°C (320°F) and bake 5–6 minutes more (15–18 minutes total).
  9. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to a rack and cool completely for about 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential for flavor and texture—don’t skip it.

Add a splash of amaretto for extra almond aroma.

Swap orange zest for lemon zest or add a pinch of cinnamon for variation.

For softer cookies, reduce baking time by 2 minutes; for crunchier ones, extend slightly.

Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days or freeze for up to a month.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/authentic-ricciarelli-recipe/