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Top-down photo of diamond/oval-shaped cookies, resting on a white kitchen countertop. The cookies are dusted with powdered sugar, showing cracks on the surface due to baking in the oven, revealing the yellowish-brown interior of the cookie, which appears grainy, crumbly, and soft.

Siena Almond Cookies (Ricciarelli di Siena)

Guido Pasquariello
These fragrant, soft almond cookies are a breeze to make and a delicious Christmas dessert. Perfectly tender, they melt in your mouth and are sure to be a hit for those who love almonds.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Rest Time 12 hours
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 10 cookies

EQUIPMENT (PAID LINKS)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ¾ cups blanched almonds or almond flour
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ cup powdered sugar plus extra for dusting
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  • Prepare Almonds: If using whole almonds, blend them with half of the powdered sugar in a food processor until very fine. Transfer to a bowl. If using almond flour, just place it in the bowl.
    1 ¾ cups blanched almonds, ½ cup powdered sugar
  • Make Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine water with the remaining powdered sugar. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves completely, making a syrup.
    2 tablespoons water
  • Mix Dough: To the almonds, add cornstarch, baking powder, egg white, and orange zest. Pour in the sugar syrup. Stir well until you have a compact dough ball. Wrap in plastic and chill in the fridge for about 12 hours, ideally overnight.
    1 egg white, 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, Zest of 1 orange
  • Shape Cookies: The next day, dust your working surface with powdered sugar. Work the dough until soft, then pinch off pieces about the size of a walnut and shape into diamonds. Coat each cookie in powdered sugar and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced apart.
  • Bake: Preheat your oven to 340°F (170°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they start to crack on the surface but remain pale. They might seem soft initially but will firm up as they cool.

Notes

These cookies are a fantastic holiday gift. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh longer. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth goodness with your loved ones!