Ricciarelli (Sienese Christmas Cookies) Recipe

Name: Ricciarelli (Sienese Christmas Cookies)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 large egg whites; 6 ounces ground almonds (Almond Flour or Meal); 1 tablespoon plain flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 2 cups icing sugar (Powdered Sugar); 1 teaspoon almond extract; brandy or Amaretto; 1/2 oranges, zest of or 1 lemon, zest of; 1 tablespoon candied orange or 1 tablespoon lemon peel; 12 ounces of good dark chocolate

Servings: persons

1
Sieve together the Icing Sugar, Flour and Baking Power into a bowel, then mix in the Ground Almonds.
2
In a separate bowl, add a couple of drops of almond extract to the egg whites and then whisk until stiff peaks form.
3
Stir the stiffened egg whites into the dry mixture until a sticky 'dough' is formed.
4
If you are trying the options, at this point add either a tablespoon of mixed orange/lemon peel OR the zest of half a lemon/orange OR a tablespoon of Rum, Brandy or Amaretto.
5
Sprinkle a board with sifted Icing Sugar and take a desertspoon full of the dough, roll in the Icing Sugar and form into a ball. Flatten the ball a little with the back of a fork. Continue until all your dough is gone (the amount above should make 12-16 cookies).
6
Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper and place your dough balls on, taking care to leave space for 'spread' during cooking.
7
Pop into an oven that's been preheated to Gas Mark 6 (200C, 390F) until golden brown. This should take approximately 10-12 minutes.
8
Remove from oven and leave to cool completely. If you are intending to dip the cookies in chocolate, at this stage you should melt very good quality dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa solids) in a bowl over a pan of simmering water and dip the cooled cookies inches Return them to the tray and cool off in the fridge or a cool place until chocolate is set.
9
Ricciarelli keep for a few weeks in an airtight container.

1041

kcal

Calories

Fat

126

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 large egg whites, 6 ounces ground almonds (Almond Flour or Meal), 1 tablespoon plain flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and more.

Yes, Ricciarelli (Sienese Christmas Cookies) falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Ricciarelli (Sienese Christmas Cookies)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions