Delicious Spiced Espresso Amaretti Cookies

I know it’s still early November, but I’m already getting a jump on my Christmas gifts this year. Christmas in New Zealand may be smack in the middle of summer, but we still love those classic Christmas flavours—even if it’s a bit too hot outside!

These Spiced Espresso Amaretti Cookies are the perfect treat to bring a little warmth to the festive season. With a subtle spicy kick from ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, plus the richness of espresso and the freshness of lemon zest, they’ve got a lovely balance of flavours that still feel festive, no matter the temperature.

I gave this recipe a go today to see how it turned out, and I’m really pleased with it! The spices are gentle but still give that lovely Christmas warmth. The coffee adds a nice depth—it brings all the flavours together beautifully.

There’s something special about baking for the people you care about, and these cookies make for a thoughtful and tasty gift. Last year, we were in India for Christmas (you can read about our family safari in Ranthambore here), but in previous years I’ve made crochet gifts (check out my crochet projects here). This year, I’m excited to bake cookies for my loved ones, and I think these spiced amaretti will be perfect for the occasion.

Options

For an extra indulgent touch, you can dip the amaretti in chocolate or coat the back with a layer of melted chocolate—just be sure to brush off any excess icing sugar from the bottoms before dipping, and then place them on a lined tray to set.

For an extra burst of flavour, try adding a small pinch of finely ground black pepper to the dry ingredients. It goes beautifully with the spices and coffee, giving the amaretti a subtle, unexpected warmth that enhances the overall depth of flavour. Don’t worry, it won’t make them spicy—just more complex and intriguing!

Simple as that! You’ve made these delicious cookies, now it’s time to enjoy every bite!

📝 What Worked for This Recipe

Most of today’s batch went off to school with my daughter Nisha for a staffroom taste test. The verdict? A big thumbs up from the teachers—everyone loved them!

For this trial, I dipped one side of a few in milk chocolate, just to see. But after all the feedback, I’ve decided to leave the chocolate out next time. It turns out the rich flavour of the biscuits is better on its own—no extras needed.

A couple of tips: wet your hands well before rolling the dough into balls—it makes things much easier. I like to weigh each one too (25g seems just right) so they bake up nice and even.

And don’t rush to eat them warm! Let the amaretti cool completely—they get even chewier and more flavourful after sitting for a bit.

Recipe

To print the recipe, simply click the ‘Print’ button below and save your PDF for easy reference!

☕🍋🍪✨🌰🥄🍫🌿🧑‍🍳💫🎉🍯🌿🧁🎶🧃

Delicious Spiced Espresso Amaretti Cookies

Servings: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 18 mins
Difficulty: easy
Rating: ★★★★★
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A rich, spiced almond cookie with espresso and a hint of lemon zest.

Tip: Try adding a pinch of black pepper to the ingredients!
Recipe Credit: Recipe from Dish magazine, likely the Christmas 2024 issue.

Ingredients

200 g Almond meal
1 ½ tsp Ground ginger
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
½ tsp Ground nutmeg
¼ tsp Ground allspice
1 pinch Salt
1 Tbsp Instant coffee
2 Egg white
1 tsp Lemon zest
100 g Caster sugar
Icing sugar to coat

Directions

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗻: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) (fan-forced) or 180°C (350°F) (conventional). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
𝗠𝗶𝘅 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: In a medium bowl, combine the almond meal, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, instant coffee, and a pinch of salt. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲: In a separate bowl, beat the egg white until foamy. Gradually add the caster sugar, continuing to beat until soft peaks form. The egg white should look glossy and hold its shape.
𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the whipped egg whites using a spatula or metal spoon. Add the lemon zest and fold until everything is just combined.
𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶: Using a spoon or your hands, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Roll the balls in icing sugar so they are thickly coated. Place them on the prepared baking tray, slightly flatten the top, leave some space between each one.
𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the amaretti are lightly golden and firm to the touch. They should have a slightly cracked surface and a soft, chewy center.
𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲: Allow the amaretti to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or your favorite dessert!