Authentic Almond Macaroon Crescents Recipe
These Authentic Almond Macaroon Crescents are delicate, soft cookies with a tender almond flavor enhanced by fragrant orange blossom water and pure almond extract. Coated in powdered sugar, they offer a snowy appearance and melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfect for special occasions or an elegant treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups (300g) finely ground almonds
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar for coating
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) orange blossom water
- ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) pure almond extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds and granulated sugar. Whisk thoroughly to break up any clumps, ensuring the mixture is completely uniform.
- Perfect the Egg Whites: In a clean, grease-free bowl, whisk the egg whites until they become foamy. Stop before soft peaks form – you want an airy but not meringue-like texture, similar to soapy water consistency.
- Add the Aromatics: Gently stir the orange blossom water and almond extract into the egg whites. These flavoring agents should be evenly distributed, making the mixture fragrant and slightly more liquid.
- Form the Dough: Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the almond mixture using a rubber spatula with a gentle folding motion. Continue until a soft, pliable dough resembling marzipan is achieved.
- Chill for Success: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up. This step ensures easier shaping and better texture.
- Shape with Care: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Take about 1.5 tablespoons of dough for each cookie, roll into a small log, then curve into a crescent shape. Place crescents 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
- The Final Touch: Generously roll each crescent in powdered sugar to ensure complete coverage for the characteristic snowy appearance. Place back on the baking sheets.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake for 15-18 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Cookies should remain pale with slight golden hints and have lightly golden bottoms.
Notes
- Use finely ground almonds for the best texture, avoid almond meal with large pieces.
- Do not over-whisk egg whites to maintain the correct dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough is essential to handle the sticky dough easily and keep the crescents’ shape during baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their softness.
- You can substitute orange blossom water with rose water for a different delicate floral aroma.
Keywords: almond macaroon crescents, almond cookies, gluten free cookies, orange blossom cookies, traditional almond macaroons
