Description
Delicate almond cloud cookies melt on your palate with Mediterranean grace, bringing Italian pastry charm to gluten-free dessert lovers. Crisp edges and tender centers invite sweet exploration, promising pure almond bliss in each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups almond flour (finely ground, blanched)
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (can substitute with coconut sugar)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Optional Flavor Additions:
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325°F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure easy cookie removal.
- Whip egg whites until they reach soft, billowy peaks, creating the signature cloudlike texture of these delicate cookies.
- Mix almond flour and granulated sugar in a separate bowl until thoroughly combined, creating a uniform dry base.
- Carefully incorporate whipped egg whites into the dry mixture, folding gently to maintain the airy structure and prevent deflation.
- Enhance the flavor profile by introducing almond extract, and optionally, a hint of vanilla or lemon zest for complexity.
- Utilize a cookie scoop to create uniform rounded mounds, strategically spacing them on the prepared baking sheets to allow for gentle spreading.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges while maintaining a soft, tender center characteristic of cloud cookies.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.
Notes
- Gently handle egg whites to maintain their airy structure, as overmixing can deflate them and result in dense cookies.
- For a dairy-free and vegan option, replace sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup, ensuring the same sweet profile.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them crisp and maintaining their delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 132
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg