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Almond Cloud Cookies

Almond Cloud Cookies


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  • Author: Helen Lois
  • Total Time: 35
  • Yield: 18 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These Gluten-Free Almond Cloud Cookies are the best sweet treat for almond lovers. Light as air, crispy on the outside, and incredibly chewy on the inside, they get their ‘cloud’ name from their puffy appearance and coating of sliced almonds. Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, they taste like high-end bakery macaroons.


Ingredients

Scale

— The Cookie Dough —

2 ½ cups superfine blanched almond flour

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large egg whites, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure almond extract (essential for that intense flavor)

⅛ teaspoon salt

— The Coating —

1 cup sliced almonds (blanched or with skins)

Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)


Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, granulated sugar, and salt until well combined and free of lumps.

3. Whip Egg Whites: In a separate medium bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until they hold soft peaks. (This step adds the ‘cloud-like’ aeration that prevents the cookies from being too dense).

4. Combine: Add the whipped egg whites and the almond extract to the dry ingredients.

5. Fold: Use a spatula to fold the mixture together. It will seem dry at first, but keep pressing and folding until a sticky, cohesive dough forms.

6. Shape: Place the sliced almonds in a shallow bowl or plate. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms. (If the dough is too sticky, dampen your hands slightly with water).

7. Coat: Roll the dough ball immediately in the sliced almonds, pressing gently so they stick and cover the cookie completely.

8. Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with your fingertips.

9. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the almonds are lightly toasted and the edges of the cookies are golden brown.

10. Cool: Remove from the oven. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. They will be soft when hot but will crisp up on the outside as they cool.

Notes

Almond Flour: Use ‘superfine’ almond flour rather than almond meal for the proper chewy texture. Almond meal can make them gritty.

Extract: Almond extract is potent! 1 teaspoon is perfect for a strong flavor, but you can reduce to ½ teaspoon if you prefer it milder.

Storage: These cookies keep remarkably well. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They actually get chewier the next day.

Egg Whites: Save your yolks for a custard or pudding! Ensure no yolk gets into the whites or they won’t whip properly.

  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 140
  • Sugar: 11
  • Sodium: 20
  • Fat: 9
  • Saturated Fat: 1
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 14
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 4
  • Cholesterol: 0