Italian Ricciarelli Biscuits 

courtesy of Ursula Ferrigno

These Italian Ricciarelli Biscuits are pronounced ‘reach-ee-a-relly,’ they are chewy and sticky and yummy and really good Christmas Biscuits.

You dust them with Icing Sugar and then why not put them in a pretty box and give them to someone as a present (alternatively, scoff them all yourselves).

And big bonus, they are GLUTEN FREE.

I believe they are the perfect alternative to Christmas Mince pies!

You know you could always have both?!

Ursula Ferrigno

I was invited to a cookery school to take part in an Italian themed course for Christmas and gosh I loved it.

We had so much fun.

 It was at Braxted Cookery School and  I can highly recommend it!

And Ursula Ferrigno what a lovely talented lady. She has some amazing recipes, look her up

The thing about learning something new is that you put all your energy in it and get totally absorbed.

I made some beautiful  things.

Italian Ricciarelli Biscuits

However,  I really  think these Italian Ricciarelli Biscuits were my favourite of the day and the course.

They are now my go-to Christmas treats;  move over mince pies!

Ricciarelli are traditional Italian biscuits

They are specifically, a type of macaroon. 

According to Wikipedia,  these babies originated in  the 14th century in Siena.

 Legend holds that these biscuits were introduced by Ricciardetto della Gherardesca in his castle near Volterra, upon his return from the Crusades.  

So I’ve been thinking I really need to travel  to Italy soon, like really really soon!

Makes 16 Italian Ricciarelli Biscuits – go on have a go, you’ll be really glad you did!

Ricciarelli Biscuits as present

These lovely Italian Biscuits make great food gifts at Christmas time.

What’s better than a Christmas Biscuit? 

Why not make a lovely hamper for someone – here are some other Homemade Christmas Hamper Ideas 

Other lovely easy biscuits 

And if you love biscuits why not try my Retro Chocolate Chip Cookies? Yum

Enjoy!

Clare x

Italian Ricciarelli Biscuits

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 290kcal

Print Pin Rate

Delicious chewy Italian Biscuit, Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 2 Egg Whites
• Pinch of Salt
• 225 g Caster Sugar
• Grated Zest 1 Lemon
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 300 g Ground Almonds
• 4 Tablespoons Flaked Almonds
• Icing Sugar for Dusting

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 150C/300F
• Place the egg whites in a large clean mixing bowl with the salt. Whisk until they stand in stiff peaks.
• Gradually add the Caster sugar until completely incorporated
• Add the lemon zest & Vanilla extract and mix again
• Fold in the ground almonds and mix, get your hands in and bring together
• Roll the dough into thick sausage
• Next using a sharp knife cut in 1 cm biscuits and place on a lined baking tray
• Sprinkle with Flaked almonds and bake in the pre-heated oven for approx. 25 minutes until they are pale golden in colour
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool, dust with LOTS of icing sugar before serving

Notes

***All nutritional information is approximate and intended only as a guide 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Italian Ricciarelli Biscuits

Amount per Serving

Calories

290

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

17

g

26

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Sodium

 

10

mg

0

%

Potassium

 

54

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

 

32

g

11

%

Fiber

 

4

g

17

%

Sugar

 

25

g

28

%

Protein

 

8

g

16

%

Vitamin A

 

2

IU

0

%

Vitamin C

 

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

 

77

mg

8

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.