Ricciarelli (Sienese Almond Cookies)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cookies bars Vanilla: Extract Easy

A dough of ground almonds, powdered sugar and egg whites is shaped into soft ovals, coated in powdered sugar and baked pale with a cracked top. This version adds orange zest. Makes 24 cookies in about 4 hr 41 min.

Prep 25 min

Cook 16 min

Cooling 4 hr

Total 4 hr 41 min

Yield 24 cookies

Diet Dairy free

Ingredients

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2 ⅔ cups (250 g)almond flour, blanched
1 ⅔ cups (200 g)powdered sugar, for the dough
2 (66 g)egg whites, about 60 g
2 tsp (4 g)orange zest, finely grated
½ tsp (2 ml)almond extract
½ tsp (3 ml)vanilla extract
7 tbsp (50 g)powdered sugar, for shaping and coating, for the coating

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Instructions

Stir the almond flour and powdered sugar together. Add the egg whites, zest and extracts and mix to a smooth, thick paste.
Knead briefly by hand, wrap tightly and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
Heat the oven to 325 F (165 C) and line two sheets with parchment. Dust the counter with powdered sugar.
Roll the dough into a log about 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) thick, cut into 3/4-inch (2 cm) slices, and shape each into a flat oval.
Coat each oval generously in powdered sugar, pressing lightly so a thick coat remains.
Place 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart and bake 14 to 16 minutes; the cookies should stay pale with a cracked top and soft center.
Cool completely on the sheet, as they firm as they cool.

Tips

Do not shake off the sugar coating; it forms the cracked surface.
Do not brown them; Ricciarelli should be pale and soft.
Press a slice of almond into the top for a traditional look.
Good with vin Santo or espresso.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make ricciarelli (sienese almond cookies)?

Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 16 minutes of cooking, plus 4 hours to chill. The recipe makes 24 cookies.

How should I store ricciarelli (sienese almond cookies)?

Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Can I make ricciarelli (sienese almond cookies) ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 0.5 tsp vanilla extract (3 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Ricciarelli are soft, oval almond cookies of Siena, protected as a PGI product. Serve it with vin Santo or espresso.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

102 Calories / serving

5.3g Fat

12.7g Carbs

2.5g Protein

10.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~2448 cal · 127g fat · 305g carbs · 60g protein · 257g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.