Amaretti Cookies

These are such easy cookies and so delicious. My sister passed along this recipe a few years ago and I make them every year.


INGREDIENTS

9 oz (about 1 ¾ cup) whole unblanched almonds

1 cup sugar

2 T flour

1/8 t salt

pinch freshly ground black pepper

4 large egg whites (not whisked or anything)

1 t almond extract

1/2 t vanilla extract

METHOD

Preheat oven to 300°

Toast the almonds in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool thoroughly. Transfer to a food processor.

Add sugar, flour, salt and pepper to the processor and finely grind.

Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add the egg whites and extracts. Stir to combine.

Drop by measured teaspoonfuls onto sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake on middle oven rack 25 minutes for chewy cookies and 30 minutes for crisp ones.

Store in an airtight container in a cool place.