Greek Almond Cookies Amygdalota Recipes

AMYGDALOTA: GREEK-STYLE CHEWY ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 °F, 165 °C.
• In a large mixing bowl whisk the egg whites on high speed until thick and stiff.
• In a large mixing bowl combine the almond flour, salt, sugar, almond extract, and orange blossom water. Mix together until combined.
• Fold the whipped egg whites into the almond flour mixture until a dough is formed.
• Note:For a more dense, firm cookie, keep the dough very dense by adding up to 455 grams of almond flour to it. Dense cookie dough will not spread during baking. For a flatter cookie, allow the dough to be slightly looser.
• Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 spoons, scoop walnut-sized pieces of dough onto baking trays lined with parchment paper.
• Alternately, fill a piping bag that has been fitted with the star attachment with the batter. Do not fill more than halfway. Pipe swirls of these cookies onto baking trays that have been lined with parchment paper.
• Sprinkle some sliced almonds over the top of each cookie.
• Bake on the center rack of the oven for 15 minutes. The cookies will be pale and slightly golden around the edges.
• If baking 2 trays together, make sure to rotate the baking sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking.
• Allow the cookies to cool completely.
• If decorating with chocolate, spread some melted chocolate on the bottom of each cookie place the cookies chocolate-side up on the baking tray until they set. You may also place them in the freezer or refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until the chocolate hardens.
• Enjoy!

GREEK ALMOND COOKIES (AMYGDALOTA)

Steps:

• Set the oven racks to the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line (2) baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Combine the almond flour, sugar, orange zest and salt in a large bowl until combined. Stir in the beaten egg whites until the dough is wet and paste-like.
• Using a 1 1/2" cookie scoop, scoop the dough into tablespoon size balls and roll in the sliced almonds (this is easier to do if you break up some of the almonds into small pieces with your fingers). Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and flatten them a bit as they won't spread.
• Bake both trays in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, rotating the pans from top to bottom halfway through baking, for 13-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown and set.
• Remove from heat and cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire racks. Serve and enjoy!

GREEK ALMOND MACAROON COOKIES (AMYGDALOTA)

Steps:

• Cut almond paste into 1/2 inch pieces.
• In an electric mixer with a paddle, mix the almond paste for a few minutes and then slowly add the confectioner sugar.
• With the mixer still on add the rose water, continuing to mix until you have a thick dough. Then slowly add the egg whites one at a time until mixture is loose enough to pipe out a pastry bag but not soupy (the consistency of a brownie batter). Depending on the humidity, you will need more or less egg whites.
• Put mixture into pastry bag and pipe onto a non stick cookie sheet, making small cookies.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

AMIGDALOTA - ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
• In a bowl combine eggs, 2 cups of sugar and almond extract and mix for 2-3 minutes.
• Fold in the ground almonds. The mixture will be quite moist and sticky.
• Shape into round balls (1 1/2" in diameter).
• Place the remaining cup of sugar on a separate plate and roll the balls in the sugar.
• Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper and place cookies on the baking tray.
• Place one whole almond on top of cookie and press gently.
• Bake for 12 minutes at 275 degrees F.
• Allow to cool and place in an airtight container as the cookies should remain chewy and not dry and crunchy.