Amaretto Butter Cookies
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 36 cookies
Description: These Amaretto Butter Cookies, adorned with delicate sliced almonds and infused with the fragrant essence of orange peel and almond-flavored liqueur, are a quintessential holiday delight. With their irresistible aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture, these cookies are sure to become a cherished addition to your festive dessert repertoire. Originally shared by Sunset, these cookies embody the spirit of the season with every bite.
Recipe Category: Dessert
Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, Fruit, Nuts, Christmas, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 112.6
- Fat Content: 6.9g
- Saturated Fat Content: 3.4g
- Cholesterol Content: 19.4mg
- Sodium Content: 59.6mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 11.5g
- Fiber Content: 0.6g
- Sugar Content: 5.7g
- Protein Content: 1.6g
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup margarine
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons almond-flavored liqueur (such as Amaretto)
- 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups sliced almonds
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, using a mixer set to medium speed, cream together the butter, margarine, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg yolks, almond-flavored liqueur, and grated orange zest to the butter mixture, beating until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. Then, beat until fully incorporated.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, shaping each into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze until firm enough to roll out without sticking, approximately 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them with butter.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness using a floured rolling pin.
- Using a floured 2-inch round cutter, cut out cookies from the rolled dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Gather any excess dough, reroll it, and continue cutting out cookies until all the dough is used.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water to create an egg wash.
- Brush each cookie with the egg wash mixture, then sprinkle or arrange approximately 1/2 teaspoon of sliced almonds on top of each cookie.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown.
- If baking multiple sheets of cookies at once, rotate the baking sheets halfway through the baking time for even cooking.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Chef’s Tips:
- For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a splash of almond extract to the dough.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for holiday gatherings or gifting.
- To freeze baked cookies, allow them to cool completely, then store them in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Conclusion:
Indulge in the decadent delight of these Amaretto Butter Cookies, a festive fusion of flavors and textures that are perfect for any holiday celebration or special occasion. With their buttery richness, subtle hints of almond and citrus, and delightful crunch of sliced almonds, these cookies are sure to captivate the hearts and taste buds of all who enjoy them. Whip up a batch today and savor the magic of the season with every heavenly bite!
