Almendrados (Almond-Lemon Macaroons) Recipe (2024)

By Joan Nathan

Almendrados (Almond-Lemon Macaroons) Recipe (1)

Total Time
35 minutes, plus 12 hours’ refrigeration
Rating
5(1,459)
Notes
Read community notes

Almendrados, which date from the 15th century or earlier, are cookies made of ground blanched almonds, lemon zest, egg and sugar. They are left out to dry for a day before baking. (In the recipe given here, I’ve called for 12 hours in the refrigerator.) I have tasted this type of cookie in many guises, and often the dough spreads out too thinly. But with the cookbook author Ana Benarroch de Bensadón’s method it kept its shape perfectly.

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Ingredients

Yield:About 30 cookies

  • 2cups whole blanched almonds, plus about 30 almonds for decoration
  • 1cup granulated sugar
  • 1large egg
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (30 servings)

91 calories; 6 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 3 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Almendrados (Almond-Lemon Macaroons) Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Using a food processor equipped with a metal blade, grind 2 cups almonds very finely. Add ¾ cup sugar, the egg and lemon zest, and pulse to make a cohesive dough. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.

  2. Step

    2

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick liner. Place remaining ¼ cup sugar in a small bowl.

  3. Step

    3

    Pinching off pieces of dough about the size of a walnut, roll them first into balls, then into sugar. Gently press an almond point first into top of each cookie, so that half the almond can be seen. Arrange cookies one inch apart on baking sheet.

  4. Step

    4

    Bake until cookies have barest hint of color but still remain soft, 8 to 10 minutes. (Cookies must be soft when removed from oven to avoid excess hardening when they cool.) Cool completely, and store in an airtight container.

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5

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1,459

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

KSG

I used Trader Joe's ground almond meal, 1 1/3 cups equals 2 cups blanched almonds no need to grind. This saved time and was still delicious. I doubled the recipe & added grated orange peel and vanilla powder.
I had to bake them for about 12-13 minutes, so keep an eye on them according to your oven. Many of my guests had recipe requests for these treats. Chewy texture like a macaroon & freezes real well. I made the batter two days before I baked them to save time, were perfect!

Donna in CT

1 cup of whole almonds equals approximately 1 1/3 cups of ground almonds (almond meal). 1 cup of ground almonds weighs approximately 5 ounces.

I ground 1 cup of whole almonds to a fine meal in a Cuisinart spice grinder, which took seconds. I then measured the ground almonds by dry cup measure to come to 1 1/3 cups of meal. I then weighed the ground almonds, and they came to a scant 5 ounces. (I think small variations in measures are fine besides inevitable given the antiquity of this recipe)

Cathy

Absolutely delicious. I had to make some changes, and they're still perfect. I used almond meal instead of ground almonds, added a bit of lemon juice in addition to the zest (I might add more next time - I like them a bit more lemony), and only had about 30 minutes to chill the dough (which made them messy to form but they came out perfectly).

They taste almost exactly like pignoli, so I may also try them coated in pine nuts.

Easy and delicious.

SEP

How much almond meal did you use? There isn't a one to one correlation between whole and ground. My rule of thumb has been 2/3 meal to 1 cup almonds, but my cookies came out flat so I don't think it was enough meal.

CurlzNJ

I've been making these for years and just looked at the recipe this morning, as it's one of my go-to desserts for Passover. In the last few years I know I've used almond meal (Trader Joe's sells it) but this time I'm going to do a mix of meal and slivered blanched almonds so I get the nutty pieces in the cookie as well. I also tend to add more lemon zest because I love lemon...

Clk

I know this was asked, but I didn't see an answer, how much almond meal should be used?
Also how far in advance can these be made? Can they be frozen?

Beverly

Have made these several times. Delicious. Added more grated lemon and some lemon juice. I use Almond Meal and used 2 cups. I also rolled them in sanding sugar (as I see in the Times picture).

Sarah

I made these with a bag of raw pistachios from trader Joe's and they were divine - the most gorgeous shade of dusky green. I did not have time to chill for at least 12 hours as the recipe stated - just 6 hours. They were totally fine. A perfect recipe

Carina

One note about the lemon, for those who may not have lemons growing in the yard. Grated lemon rind yields a fine, oily substance that adds perfume to the cookie and a decided lemon flavor. Lemon juice, on the other hand, being a liquid without the oily lemon essence, adds liquid where it's not called for, sourness where it's not wanted, and just a little flavor. Never substitute juice for fresh lemon zest. A good substitute would be lemon oil (different than lemon extract), 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon.

Yolanda

1 cup almonds equals 145 grams2 cups blanched almonds equals 1 1/3 cup

Alicia

I think you've got that turned around ... 1 1/3 cups of whole almonds equal about a cup of ground.

lulu

Substituted 1 and 1/3 cups super-fine almond flour, as someone suggested, and doubled the amount of lemon zest. Baked them for the full 10 minutes. They came out perfectly domed and completely delicious.

susan

Replace: 1 1/3 almond meal equals 2 cups blanched almonds add lemon juice in addition to the peel

Peggy Mason

Baked this at 5,000+ ft in Northern Colorado. Used 2 full C almond flour and baked at 355 for 12 minutes. 10 wasn't quite enough in my oven. They kept their shape and did not spread at all, which is typically a real problem at this altitude. I thought they were too sweet and I do have a sweet tooth - next time will try 1/2 C sugar.

Paul

Cooked a few times. The first batch spread out too much, so after some experimentation, it's best for met to add an extra egg yolk to a double batch (2 eggs plus one yolk), cover the dough with a towel and not plastic wrap while it sits overnight in the fridge, and cook them for 18 minutes in pre-heated oven on insulated baking sheets. Cook times might be shorter if I cooked them a batch at a time, but I just swap racks half-way through, and am done in one set.

Deborah VC

These are so easy and are fabulous. I reduced the sugar to 1/2 c plus 2 T, used 1 1/3 cups almond flour and added about 1/8 t lemon extract. I used what I had and put a raw pistachio on top. I didn’t roll in sugar but did dust them with powered sugar when done. Baked for about 9 minutes. Chewy and lemony.

Molly H.

Subtle. Delicious. Slowly addictive. Roll in turbinado sugar for a richer flavor.

barbara

1 and 1/3 cup almond meal Double lemon zest

jenevra

These spread out in a way that looks pretty different from the picture and taste very plain. I will not be making them again.

RHB

I fear that everyone using almond meal or flour is missing out on the texture of the processed almond. Time is time though, so I get it.These are excellent. Picked up some bulk organic almonds at Whole Foods and they really brought out the best in this cookie. Made exactly as described.

Gyöngyi

A simple and delicious recipe. I added almond extract.

Lady Glitter Sparkle

2 lemons worth of zest per recipe, definitely use almond flour 1 1/3 c

Sue

Delicious and so easy. I used Bob's almond meal - 1-1/3 cups - and it came out great. I only got 18 cookies, not 30! Baked for about 14 minutes. Next time I will double the lemon zest.

Joy M

Instead of refrigerating for 12 hours, just pop in the freezer for 30 minutes!

lisa

Meh. Don’t make again. Or add more lemon?

jude

250g almond meal200g sugar

almond mom

I made this for a kosher Seder dinner and it came out great! It is easy, especially prepping everything and throwing it in the fridge until baking time. This might be my go to dessert anywhere I can serve nutty desserts!(I used almond flour from Costco and based on the weight of whole almonds, I used 294 grams for 2 cups of almonds. Worked great!)

almond mom

I made this for a kosher Seder dinner and it came out great! It is easy, especially prepping everything and throwing it in the fridge until baking time. This might be my go to dessert anywhere I can serve nutty desserts!I used almond flour from Costco and based on the weight of whole almonds, I used 294 grams for 2 cups of almonds. Worked great! I was generous with lemon zest and squeezed some juice as well.

ElizElliott

Wondering if almond flour would work..

Almendrados

Does any other sugar work here….like coconut or date?

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Almendrados (Almond-Lemon Macaroons) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is almond flour or almond meal better for macarons? ›

Almond meal is made from raw unpeeled almonds. It is usually more coarse in texture and has a darker color than almond flour because of the almond skin. It is usually used for baking bread or not as "cakey" texture baked goods. For macaron making, almond flour should be used because we want to create a finer texture.

Can I use ground almonds instead of almond flour? ›

In general, you can substitute almond meal (ground almonds) for almond flour, provided that the almond meal is very finely ground. In that case, the substitution shouldn't in any way affect the texture of the final bake.

Can I make almond flour out of almonds? ›

Simply add blanched almonds to a blender and blitz until a fine, powdery flour is achieved. You know you've gone too far if it starts turning to almond butter instead. Not only is it simple to make, but homemade almond flour tastes fresher and is usually more cost-effective than storebought.

Is almond meal the same as ground almonds? ›

Almond meal, also known as almond flour or ground almonds, is made from ground up almonds. Nigella tends to use white ground almonds - this is made from blanched almonds that have had their skins removed before grinding.

What to do if you don t have enough almond flour for macarons? ›

Sunflower seed flour is an exceptional substitute for almond flour in macaron recipes. It has a similar consistency, making it an excellent alternative for those with nut allergies or nut-free preferences. Sunflower seed flour is also a more affordable alternative to almond flour.

What happens if I use all-purpose flour instead of almond flour in macarons? ›

Texture of the Macarons with All-purpose Flour versus Almond Flour. The macarons made with all-purpose flour do end up a bit chewier and harder than almond flour macarons. That's because the all-purpose flour soaks up the moisture in the batter.

What is the ratio of ground almonds to flour? ›

You may also need to adapt your methodology, as techniques designed to encourage gluten formation are not necessary when baking with ground almonds. Flour: replace 1 cup of flour with 1 1/4 scant cups of ground almonds / replace 100g of flour with 90g of ground almonds.

Is it cheaper to buy or make almond flour? ›

I love to combine it with all-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour to give regular baked goods an extra-moist texture. Lately, I've taken to making my own almond flour at home. From start to finish, the whole process takes under a minute, and it's much more cost effective than buying it at the store.

How many almonds in a cup of almond flour? ›

Get this: a single cup of almond flour contains around 90 almonds! Almond flour disguises the consumption of the nuts. If you were actually chewing the whole almonds, your body would tell way before you consumed 90 almonds that you were full.

Why can't you use baking powder with almond flour? ›

Since baking powder contains baking soda, baking powder cannot be used in almond flour baking. Instead, eggs (or applesauce or bananas) can be used as the leavening agent to help baked goods rise and achieve a light and fluffy texture.

Is almond flour good for diabetes? ›

Almond flour is a low glycemic index food. Compared to wheat flour, almond flour has fewer sugars and carbohydrates. Switching to almond flour can help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels more effectively. Almond flour contains a lot of prebiotic dietary fiber.

Can expired almond flour be used? ›

Almond Flour and Other Nut Flours

You'll want to taste a bit of the flour to really judge whether it's good—it will taste rancid if it isn't. In general, like whole grain flours, these may start turning right around the "best by" date—generally up to a year if it's stored properly in an airtight container.

How many almonds can you eat a day? ›

When compared ounce for ounce, almonds are the tree nut highest in protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin E, riboflavin and niacin. Just remember 1-2-3. 1 ounce of almonds, or about 23 almond nuts, is the ideal daily portion recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

How much almond meal does 1 cup of almonds make? ›

1 cup of blanched almonds are 5.2 ounces, which equals to 147 grams. 1 cup of almond flour made from 1 cup of blanched almonds is 4.2 ounces, which equals to 120 grams. In other words, you get 1 ¼ cups (approximately) of almond flour using 1 cup blanched almonds.

Can you use almond meal for macarons? ›

Make sure you use almond flour, not almond meal. Almond flour is much finer and made from blanched, skinless almonds. Almond meal is coarser and contains almond skin. You can make your own almond flour, but be very careful because almonds can quickly release their oils, clump up, and turn into almond butter.

What is the best flour for macarons? ›

Ingredients. Almond flour. A must in this (and any) French macaron recipe (and a key ingredient in my Linzer cookies), I recommend a “super fine”, blanched almond flour. As the name suggests, it's very fine and yields smooth, bump-free macaron tops.

Which almond is best for macarons? ›

Different Types of Almond Flours and Their Pros and Cons

Blanched almond flour is more finely ground and gives baked goods a lighter color and texture. It's best for delicate recipes like macarons, where you want a smooth result. Unblanched almond flour is more coarsely ground and has a darker color.

Can I use almond flour instead of almond powder for macarons? ›

Almond flour is one of the main ingredients in macarons. Anytime you read a macaron recipe, you will see that almond flour or almond meal will be required. The two are commonly used interchangeably.

What is a substitute for almond meal in macarons? ›

There are many nut-free macaron recipes available without almond flour. I am particularly fond of making macarons with oat flour because of the delicious flavor it adds, but you can also find nut-free macaron recipes with all-purpose or whole wheat flour or coconut flour as well.

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