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    Home » Recipes » Cookie and Bar Recipes

    Easy Almond Macaroons (Gluten-Free!)

    Published: Apr 4, 2023 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Almond macaroons are an easy, gluten-free cookie you are going to want in your baking rotation. These perfectly sweet cookies are crisp on the outside with a soft, chewy exterior.  The dough contains only 5 ingredients and is made entirely in the food processor. Talk about simple!

    Ready to make an easy batch of macaroons packed with almond flavor? Keep reading for step-by-step instructions!

    Almond Macaroon broke in half next to a cup of coffee.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • These almond macaroons are INCREDIBLY simple to make and contain only 5 easy-to-find ingredients.
    • They have BIG almond flavor.
    • The texture is really delightful with a lightly crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior.
    • They are gluten-free so you can serve them to nearly everyone.

    Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients for Easy Almond Macaroons.

    Only 5 wholesome ingredients!

    • Blanched slivered almonds
    • Granulated sugar
    • Salt
    • Egg Whites
    • Almond Extract

    Special Equipment Needed

    • Food processor

    How to Make This Recipe

    • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
    • Transfer the almonds to a food processor and process until finely ground, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and salt and process for an additional 30 seconds.
    Ground almonds in a food processor.
    • Add the egg whites and process until a dough forms.
    Almond Macaroon dough in a food processor.
    • Using damp hands, shape the dough into 1 inch in diameter balls and place 12 balls on each prepared baking sheet.
    Unbaked Almond Macaroons on a baking sheet.
    • Bake until just beginning to brown around the edges, about 20-23 minutes. If you are baking two sheets at a time, rotate the pans halfway through.
    Close up of an Easy Almond Macaroon on a baking sheet.
    • Briefly cool on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rimmed rack to cool completely.

    Expert Tips

    • The dough will be sticky! Use damp hands to roll the dough balls. Not only does this prevent the dough from sticking, it also gives the finished cookies a smooth and shiny surface.
    • Be sure to line the baking sheets with parchment paper or something similar as these cookies will stick to an unlined baking sheet.
    Easy Almond Macaroons on cooling rack.

    FAQs

    What is the origin of the macaroon?

    Macaroons originally came from Italy, where the word for paste, maccherone, became macaroon.

    What is the difference between a macaron and a macaroon?

    A macaron is a French cookie that’s made of finely ground almonds and an egg white meringue. After they are baked, two cookies are sandwiched together with a filling, quite often buttercream, chocolate or jam.

    An almond macaroon (like this recipe) is not a sandwich cookie. The ingredients are very similar, but the almonds tend to be more coarsely ground than the almonds used in macarons. Macaroons are also denser, chewier and larger in size than macarons, and they are easier to make.

    What makes this recipe Scandinavian?

    Almond macaroons play an important role in Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s three-act play, A Doll’s House. As the play opens, the main character, Nora, has returned home from Christmas shopping laden with gifts and other purchases for the upcoming holiday.  She takes a bag of macaroons out of her pocket and eats a couple. Nora then quietly sneaks over to her husband’s study and listens at the closed door. When he emerges she quickly wipes away the crumbs from her mouth and hides the cookies. She clearly wants to keep her macaroons a secret, fearing her husband’s disapproval of her decadent treat.

    As it turns out, Nora is keeping many more secrets from her husband which are revealed throughout the course of the play. The macaroons are simply a clever metaphor for both the secrets she keeps and the control Helmer holds over her.

    How do I store these cookies?

    These cookies store well in air tight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days.

    Can I freeze almond macaroons?

    Yes! They freeze well for 2-3 months. Place in a freezer safe, air tight container for best results.

    Variations

    • Lemon: Omit the almond extract and add ½ teaspoon of lemon extract and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest instead. Proceed with the recipe a directed.
    • Chocolate: Add a ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch process) to the ground almonds along with the sugar and salt. Proceed with the recipe as directed.
    • Coconut: Add a ½ cup of sweetened shredded to the ground almonds along with the sugar and salt. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

    Related Recipes

    Looking for more easy Scandinavian cookie recipes? Give these a try:

    • Swedish Chocolate Cookie Slices (Chokladsnittar)
    • No Bake Swedish Chocolate Oat Balls (Chokladbollar)
    • Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies (Hallongrottor)
    • Swedish Ginger Snaps (Pepparkakor)

    Recipe

    Close up of the inside of an almond macaroon.

    Easy Almond Macaroons

    A simple recipe for almond macaroons that are crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy exterior. Gluten-free and only 5 ingredients!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: baking, cookies and bars, Fika
    Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 22 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 37 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 129kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups blanched and slivered almonds
    • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 3 large egg whites
    • 1 teaspoon almond extract
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • Transfer the almonds to the work bowl of a food processor and process until finely ground, about 1 minute. Add the salt and sugar and process for an additional 30 seconds. Add the egg whites and almond extract and process until a soft dough forms, scraping down the sides of the work bowl as necessary. If the dough seems dry add a teaspoon of water and process again. Repeat until you have a workable dough.
    • Using damp hands, roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on one of the prepared baking sheets leaving about an inch of space between the balls of dough (you should get about 12 cookies on each sheet).
    • Bake one sheet of cookies at a time until they are just beginning to brown, about 21 to 23 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Repeat with the remaining dough. If you want to bake two sheets at the same time, be sure to rotate the baking sheets halfway through.

    Notes

    Be sure to line your baking sheets with parchment paper or the cookies will stick to the pan.
    Using damp hands to roll the dough will create a smooth and shiny surface on the baked cookies.
    Variations:
      • Lemon: Omit the almond extract and add ½ teaspoon of lemon extract and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest instead. Proceed with the recipe a directed.
      • Chocolate: Add a ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch process) to the ground almonds along with the sugar and salt. Proceed with the recipe as directed.
      • Coconut: Add a ½ cup of sweetened shredded to the ground almonds along with the sugar and salt. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your almond macaroons and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Cookies & Bar Recipes

    • Three ghost shaped ginger cookies on a plate next to a pumpkin, leaves and a glass of milk.
      Spooky Swedish Halloween Ginger Cookies
    • Close up of a stack of buttermilk cookies.
      Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Cookies
    • Close up of a stack of Checkerboard Cookies.
      Easy Checkerboard Cookies
    • Mandelmusslor on a marble surface next to a cup of coffee.
      Mandelmusslor (Swedish Almond Tart Cookies)

    Comments

    1. Scott W Mabey says

      January 01, 2025 at 7:44 pm

      5 stars
      I am not a baker, but I love almond macaroons a lot, so I thought I would try the recipe. They are easily the best thing I have ever baked and received such good reviews from everyone who tried them. I will be making them every holiday season from now on!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        January 02, 2025 at 1:11 pm

        Thanks so much for your feedback, Scott! I'm glad you enjoyed them.

        Reply
    2. Barb says

      February 29, 2024 at 3:25 pm

      5 stars
      I have celiac and I absolutely love these macaroons! I make them about once or twice a month. I only put 3/4 cup of sugar and they are still plenty sweet enough. 1 1/2 cups is way too much. I definitely recommend these, they’re awesome!

      Reply
    3. Linda says

      September 15, 2023 at 5:51 pm

      It was pretty wet I guess. When I made the 1 inch balls with my hands they immediately flattened out instead of staying round

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        September 16, 2023 at 3:28 pm

        Maybe try adding some extra almonds next time? I would start with just a couple of heaping tablespoons and see it that helps.

        Reply
    4. Kristi says

      September 15, 2023 at 4:49 pm

      Hi Linda,
      That is strange! Mine are quite rounded in shape. Does your dough seem overly dry or wet?
      Kristi

      Reply
    5. Linda says

      September 14, 2023 at 7:21 pm

      My almond macaroons taste great but keep coming out too flat. I can’t figure out why

      Reply
    6. Kristi says

      April 10, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      Hi Peggy,
      I'm sure you can! I haven't tried it but Google says that 1 cup of almonds = 1 1/4 cup of almond flour so I would probably make that adjustment to start with. And then just mix in a bowl rather than the food processor. Please let me know if you give them a try!
      Kristi

      Reply
    7. Peggy says

      April 06, 2023 at 7:34 pm

      5 stars
      I haven’t made these yet but I can tell from the recipe I will love them! I don’t own a food processor. Can I substitute packaged ground almonds? Thanks, Peggy

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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