Description

These Almond Cloud Cookies are light, airy, and bursting with almond flavor thanks to a homemade almond paste and almond flour. Slightly crisp around the edges and tender inside, they’re dusted with confectioners’ sugar for a delicate finish. Perfect for almond lovers looking for an elegant yet easy-to-make treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Almond Paste Mixture

1 batch DIY Almond Paste, prepared
1 cup (198g) granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup (48g) King Arthur Almond Flour

Wet Ingredients

2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon almond extract (gluten-free, if necessary)

Finishing

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the DIY almond paste, granulated sugar, salt, and almond flour. Blend until the mixture turns uniformly crumbly, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
Add Egg Whites and Almond Extract: Gradually add the lightly beaten egg whites one at a time to the crumbly mixture, mixing continuously until the dough becomes smooth and paste-like. Stir in the almond extract to infuse the dough with a rich almond flavor.
Form Cookies: Using a heaping tablespoon cookie scoop or a regular tablespoon, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly. This recipe yields about 24 cookies.
Dust with Sugar: Generously dust the formed cookies with confectioners’ sugar to add a delicate sweetness and a snowy appearance once baked.
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges turn a light brown but the centers remain soft.
Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets set on a wire rack to firm up.
Storage: Store the Almond Cloud Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container to maintain freshness.

Notes

Ensure egg whites are only lightly beaten to help achieve the soft texture of the cookies.
Use high-quality almond paste for the best flavor; homemade is ideal.
For gluten-free diets, confirm that the almond extract is gluten-free and use almond flour labeled gluten-free.
The cookies are delicate when fresh, so handle gently when transferring and storing.
Freezing the cookies can preserve their quality; thaw at room temperature before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Almond Cloud Cookies, almond paste cookies, gluten-free cookies, almond flour cookies, light almond cookies, holiday cookies