For the last couple of years, I have been seduced like the rest of the country by the pretty French macaron. You know the delicate little sandwich cookies, brightly colored and flavored. The shells are a baking challenge to say the least. How could a cookie with three simple ingredients, almond flour, sugar and egg whites be so hard to perfect?

In the search for perfection  I was reminded of the the original Italian macaroon, also known as amaretti. Same simple ingredients, almond paste, sugar and egg whites, easy breezy to make.  Our amaretti topped with pine nuts and their chocolate variation are two of our most popular cookies. Delicious almond flavor, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside.... naturally wheat free. Delicious!

Inspired by macaron mania, I  created some new amaretti flavors and colors. Check these out; Raspberry, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Chocolate Cherry and Espresso Amaretti. All perfectly paired with almond. Just the beginning!

Many thanks to Kellie and Dee for the French mac tutorials.. Old dog, new tricks?