Italian Coconut Almond Cookies
These Almond Cookies are made with almond flour and shredded coconut, which makes them not only delicious but also Gluten Free. Simple, easy and perfect anytime. Italian cookies never tasted so good.
My husband loves almonds and coconut, so when he came home with this recipe (yes he brings them home from friends too). I knew I had to make them.
These are basically, all his favourite ingredients in one cookie. Almonds, coconut and lemon. Italians love adding lemon to baked good.
But if you don’t like lemon, you could probably substitute with vanilla or even almond extract. A teaspoon would be enough.
Almond cookies or Amaretti are probably the most popular cookies at Christmas time for most Italian families. Fast, easy and very tasty.
How to make Almond Cookies
- Whisk the almond flour, coconut, sugar, zest and baking powder together.
- Add the egg and lemon juice and stir until mixture comes together.
- Then form into about 14 balls (about the size of golf balls).
- Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar.
- Place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and top each with a whole almond.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, let cool before serving.
What is almond flour
Almond flour is made from blanched almonds which have had the skins removed. Almond flour is more finely ground then almond meal, which usually contains the skin of the almonds.
How to make Homemade Almond Flour
If you like you can even make your own almond flour, place almonds, 1/4 -1/3 cup at a time, in a food processor. Pulse until you have a flour-like consistency.
Then sift the flour into a container, any large bits pulse again.
How to store Almond Flour
Almond flour is best stored in an airtight container either in a cool dry place or the fridge. It will last four or five months in the fridge.
It can also be stored in the freezer, either in a freezer safe bag or container. It will last up to nine months in the freezer.
How to store Coconut Almond Cookies
These cookies should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry area, they should be eaten within three to four days. They can also be stored in the fridge for about a week.
They can also be frozen in a freezer bag or container and will keep for up to 4 months.
More Delicious Italian Cookies
So if you are looking for another Italian Cookie to make, I hope you give these Coconut Almond Cookies a try. Enjoy!
Italian Coconut Almond Cookies
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups almond flour
- ½ cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons powdered / icing sugar
- zest of 1/2 lemon*
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice*
EXTRAS
- ¼-⅓ cup icing / powdered sugar
- 14 almonds
*If you don't like lemon then you could substitute with 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract.
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 320F (160C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl whisk together the almond flour, coconut, sugars, zest, and baking powder.
- Add the egg and lemon juice and stir until mixture comes together. Then form into about 14 balls (about the size of golf balls). Roll in powdered / icing sugar then place on prepared cookie sheet. Place one almond pushing down (slightly do not flatten the cookie) on the top of each ball. Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!
Making my second batch already! Love this recipe. First time I didn’t have a lemon so I substituted an orange. Outstanding.! This time I have a lemon, so will be curious how it is compared to the orange. Christmas cookie staple going forward! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Christina, thanks so much, orange is a good idea, lemon is good too, I hope you like it. Take care and Merry Christmas!
Do you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut? Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Hi Maria, I use unsweetened coconut. I hope you like them, let me know. Take care!
A favorite! Everyone loves them and they are actually very healthy for cookies. I just added 2 tsp melted butter and a half teaspoon of almond extract but they are also good as is.
Hi Ronnie, thanks so much, glad you liked them. Take care!
I was wondering if I could use all – purpose flour instead of the almond? I want to make these for the holidays but I want them to taste good .
Thank you,
Lynne
P.S. I love your recipes!
Hi Lynne, I have never made these with all purpose flour, but if you want to try you can, it would be a 1 for 1 substitution and be sure to use a 11.5% or higher protein flour, it might be a good idea to chill the dough and then again while the oven is pre-heating. They do taste good just how the recipe is written. 🙂 Glad you enjoy the recipes. Take care!
These were delicious!
Hi thanks, so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Take care.
Omg delicious, i made 2 recipes , i made the reg recipe that you gave me , i made exact14 cookies.
The 2nd was a vegan recipe for my daughter , i replaced the eggs with an egg replacer and it was delicious thank you very much
Hi Natalie, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it and the vegan recipe for your daughter. Have a great weekend.
Great biscuits! Good texture, good flavour, so easy to make!
Hi Grace, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Have a great week.
I’m assuming these are crunchy cookies?
Hi Marina, probably more crunchy on the outside. Of course it depends how thick you make them.
do I want sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
Hi Barbara, I always use unsweetened, I have never seen sweetened here, so sorry sometimes I forget what a bigger selection is out there! 🙂
Hi,
Are you able to freeze your cookie recipes ? Either the dough or the baked cookie?
Hi Jessy, yes you can freeze both, make sure to store in a freezer safe bag or container. The dough should be first wrapped in plastic. Thaw the dough overnight in the fridge. 🙂
Thank you so much for your delicious recipes! I tried your wonderful cookies they are absolutely delicious! Thanks again🙂
Hi Elizabeth, thanks so much, glad you liked them. Take care.
Really great, simple recipe! I opted for almond extract option – turned out great. Thank you –
Hi Christina, thanks so much. Take care.
Hi,
It is 112 calories for how many cookies?
Thanks
Hi Ania, that’s 112 calories for one cookies.
I really love your recipes! My question is, here in Toronto we have sweetened and unsweetened coconut. Which is best for these cookies? Sometimes when I use the regular sweetened coconut the cookies tends to be overly sweet especially if the cookie dough itself is already sweet enough. Thanks!
Hi Adelina I would use unsweetened. Let me know how it goes.
I tried with the unsweetened coconut, seems like it wasn’t sweet enough for me
I’m making another batch now but I will use sweetened coconut.
Do you think these are good for someone who is gluten free?
The almond flour is gluten free, and just wondering if I omit the coconut, would it make much of a difference in the taste?
Thank you
L
Hi L, the recipe is gluten free so it should be ok. I think if you omit the coconut you are going to be losing a lot in the taste. Add a bit more sugar if it isn’t sweet enough.
Love you’re receipes!!!!!
Hi Josie, thanks so much.