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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Italian Ricciarelli Cookies

Italian Ricciarelli Cookies

Last Updated December 16, 2021. Published December 9, 2021 By Rosemary 15 Comments

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Italian Ricciarelli Cookies are soft and chewy and are made with almond flour with a hint of orange or lemon flavor. They make a wonderful gluten-free option for a Christmas cookie plate or can be enjoyed any time of the year with your favorite coffee. 

Riciarelli cookies on a black plate.

I grew up eating ricciarelli around the holidays and to this day, they are one of my favorite Italian cookies. They are a traditional cookie that, some say, dates as far back as 15th century Tuscany and any cookie that has been around that long just has to be amazing!

They’re made with almond flour, powdered sugar, and egg whites which give the cookie its classic chewy texture. The tops of these almond cookies have a characteristically crinkled top and are dusted with powdered sugar, which makes them the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table, although I’ll happily eat them during any season!

Ingredients

  • Large egg whites – room temperature egg whites work best in this recipe. They will be easier to mix in with the other ingredients.
  • Orange or lemon zest – you can zest the citrus by using a zester or if you don’t have one, you can use the small holes of a box grater. Make sure you don’t include the white under layer which can be very bitter.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Almond flavoring – you can usually find almond extract beside the vanilla in most grocery stores
  • Powdered/icing sugar – whisk the sugar to remove any lumps
  • Almond flour – this nut flour is made from ground skinless almonds
  • Salt
  • Baking powder

How to make this recipe

Ricciarelli are easy to make, but they do require 12 – 24 hours of chilling time in the fridge, It’s best to plan ahead when you want to make them. I promise that the wait will be worth it!

Cookies on a black server with 1 cut open.

Prepping the dough

In a large bowl or mixer add the egg whites, zest, vanilla, and almond flavoring, mix together. Use the flat beaters of an electric mixer, or simply mix everything with a wooden spoon.

The egg, zest, flavors  mixed in a white bowl.

Next, add in the sugar, almond flour, salt, and baking powder and combine everything together until a soft and compact dough forms.

Adding the sugar and flour and making a dough.

Place the dough in a clean bowl cover it with plastic wrap. The dough now needs to chill in the fridge for 12 – 24 hours to let the flavors develop. This step is very important.

Baking the Cookies

Remove the dough from the fridge and place it onto a flat surface, that has been liberally sprinkled with powdered sugar.

The board sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Roll the dough into a log shape with your hands (approximately 21 inches/55 cm long) and cut the log into ½ inch (1.2cm) slices.

Forming a dough roll and cutting into ovals.

Shape each slice into an oval shape and lay them carefully on the prepared cookie sheets. Dust each cookie with more powdered sugar before baking. Bake the cookies.

The cookies on the prepared cookie sheet & dusted with powdered sugar.

Gently remove them from the cookie sheet and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. As they cool, the chewy texture will develop.

The baked Ricciarelli cookies on the cookie sheet.

Things to know when making this recipe

  • These cookies do not contain wheat flour, so they make a great option for gluten-free diets.
  • The dough can be kept for up to 3 days in the fridge, which is great if you don’t have time to bake them right away.
  • Dusting with sugar helps to create a crinkled look when they are baked.
  • Try to make the cookies the same size so that they all bake evenly.
  • While the oven is pre-heating, allow the cookies to sit at room temperature for 10 – 15 minutes on the cookie sheets to dry out a bit before baking them. This can help them achieve that cracked appearance once baked.
  • Be gentle with the cookies when transferring to a wire rack as they will still be very soft.
  • The baked cookies are done when the edges are light golden brown and they start to crack on top. 
  • The flavors keep improving over time and Italian almond cookies often taste even better the second or third day.
Riciarelli cookies on a black plate.

Recipe FAQ’s

Is almond flour the same thing as ground almonds?

Almond flour is made from ground almonds that have had their skin removed, so it tends to be paler in color and has a very fine texture. Ground almonds are made with almonds that have the skin on and tend to be slightly coarser in texture than almond flour. This recipe calls for almond flour, which you can usually find in grocery or bulk stores.

What can I make with just egg yolks?

Since this recipe only uses egg whites, you will have a couple of yolks leftover. Egg yolks are great to use in custards, Italian pastry cream, cakes, and even carbonara! Make sure to use up leftover egg yolks within a couple of days of storing them in the fridge.

How long will Italian ricciarelli cookies keep?

These cookies will keep well in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.

How to freeze them?

The completely cooled cookies should be stored in a freezer safe container. They will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Riciarelli cookies on a black plate.

If you are looking to add some Italian to your Holiday Cookie tray then these Italian Ricciarelli Cookies are the ones for you. Let me know if you try them. Enjoy!

More Italian Cookie Recipe

  • Italian Lemon Cookies
  • Canestrelli
  • Italian Christmas Cookies
  • Pizzicati
Riciarelli cookies on a black plate.

Italian Ricciarelli Cookies

Rosemary Molloy
Italian Ricciarelli Cookies are soft and chewy and are made with almond flour with a hint of orange or lemon flavor. They make a wonderful gluten-free option.
5 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Chilling Time 12 hrs
Total Time 12 hrs 35 mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 40 cookies
Calories 45 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 large egg whites
  • zest of ½ orange or lemon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon almond flavoring
  • ¾ cup powdered/icing sugar
  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

EXTRAS

  • ⅓-½ cup powdered/icing sugar (divided)

Instructions
 

  • In the mixer add the egg whites, zest, vanilla, almond flavoring and combine, then add the sugar, flour, salt and baking powder, combine with either a wooden spoon or beat with flat beaters on low speed until a soft and compact dough forms.
  • Move the dough to a clean bowl, cover in plastic and refrigerate for 12-24 hours or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the dough from the fridge, place the dough on a flat surface that has been liberally sprinkled with powdered sugar (extras) roll the dough to form an approximate 21 inch (55 cm) log, cut into ½ inch (1.2 cm) slices, and shape into an oval, place them on the prepared cookie sheets. Dust the slices well with the remaining powdered sugar. While the oven is pre-heating, allow the cookies to sit at room temperature for 10 – 15 minutes on the cookie sheets to dry out a bit before baking them.
  • Pre-heat oven to 325F (160F). Line 1-2 cookies sheets with parchment paper.
  • Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes. Gently and carefully with a spatula remove the cookies immediately to a wire rack to cool completely. They will be soft at first but when cooled will become the perfect chewy consistency. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

The cookies are done when the edges are light golden brown and they start to crack on top. 
These cookies will keep well in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
The completely cooled cookies can be frozen in a freezer safe container. They will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Italian Ricciarelli, Italian Ricciarelli cookies, Ricciarelli biscotti, Ricciarelli recipe
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    Filed Under: Christmas, Christmas Cookies, Cookies & Bars, Desserts, Easter, Fall/Winter

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    1. Aleena Dard says

      January 31, 2022 at 3:24 am

      5 stars
      My family loved these! A 10 out of 10! The only thing that I that I would change next time is to add in some more baking powder and that for me, the baking time turned out to be around 22 minutes. Besides that they were absolutely delicious! 🙂

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        February 2, 2022 at 11:06 pm

        Hi Aleena, thanks so much, so glad you and your family liked them. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Anne Gibboney Huske says

      January 1, 2022 at 1:36 am

      5 stars
      I made these for Christmas and paired with rum raisin ice cream. The recipe is not difficult, and they are amazing. Just like the ones I remember from Italy. They were a big hit as something different and not too heavy after a big meal.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        January 4, 2022 at 12:11 am

        Hi Anne, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Happy New Year.

        Reply
    3. Maria Salpietro says

      December 21, 2021 at 9:13 am

      Hi Rosemary,

      I love the ricciarelli cookies. I follow the recipe to a T.
      These cookies don’t expand or rise. What am I doing wrong.
      I love to perfect this recipe as I love the flavours.

      Please help

      Thank you
      Maria

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 21, 2021 at 12:05 pm

        Hi Maria, well they don’t expand or rise that much. Make sure your baking powder is active and maybe use 1/2 teaspoon instead of 1/4 teaspoon. Let me know.

        Reply
    4. Sharon Rossy says

      December 16, 2021 at 4:47 am

      Hi. I want to make these for the first time. Can the dough be frozen or cut into individual cookies and frozen unbaked? Also, can the dough be store in the fridge longer than 24 hours? Trying to figure out my Christmas baking schedule.
      Thanks, they look delicious

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 16, 2021 at 11:26 am

        Hi Sharon, thanks, I would probably freeze the individual dough cookies rather than the dough. Freeze them on a cookie sheet for an hour or 2 until firm then move to a container, they can be baked from frozen although it may need a couple of minutes longer. The dough can remain in the fridge for up to 3 days. Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes.

        Reply
        • Sharon Rossy says

          December 17, 2021 at 3:33 am

          Thanks I will keep you posted!

    5. Marie Crimi says

      December 12, 2021 at 8:23 pm

      Not sure what the flat beaters are. I have a hand mixer with only one type of beaters. I would love to make these but not sure what that instruction means.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 12, 2021 at 9:11 pm

        Hi Marie, flat beaters come with a stand up mixer such as a kitchen aid, although you could use regular beaters on low or a wooden spoon or spatula. Hope that helps.

        Reply
    6. Rachel says

      December 12, 2021 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      great recipe for one of my favorite Italian cookies! I’d suggest double checking your metric conversions.
      On the original recipe I found 3/4 cup of powdered sugar converted (correctly) to 120g, but also listed as 90g.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 13, 2021 at 7:08 pm

        Hi Rachel actually 3/4 cup is 90 grams and 1 cup is 120 grams. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Carolyn says

      December 9, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      Are these basically pignoli cookies without the pignolis on top?

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 10, 2021 at 8:01 pm

        Hi Carolyn, not really because pignoli are made with all purpose flour and not almond flour.

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Rosemary.

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