Exploring the Flavorful World of Vegan Amaretti Cookies: Tea Infused Variations

Amaretti Cookies: A Classic Italian Delight

Crunchy on the outside and deliciously chewy on the inside, Amaretti cookies are an Italian treat loved for their sweet almond flavor and soft texture. Taking a twist on these cookies, they made with simple ingredients like almond flour, aquafaba, honey and a variety of teas. These cookies offer the perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness. Whether enjoyed with coffee, tea, or as a quick dessert, these tea Amaretti cookies are a delightful bite of floral goodness.

the finished cookies

What is Amaretti?

Amaretti are traditional Italian almond cookies known for their crunchy exterior and chewy, slightly dense interior. Made primarily with almond flour, egg whites, and sugar, these cookies have a rich, nutty flavor with a hint of bitterness from the almonds, which is balanced by their natural sweetness. Some variations include a touch of liqueur, such as Amaretto, to enhance the almond taste.

There are two main types of Amaretti:

1. Amaretti di Saronno – A crisp, airy version originating from Saronno, Italy, often wrapped in decorative paper.

2. Soft Amaretti (Amaretti Morbidi) – A chewier, moister variation with a texture similar to macarons.

Amaretti cookies pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or dessert wines and are often used in baking as a crunchy topping or an ingredient in cakes and pastries.

Revamping A Classic

While this recipe doesn't require much altering, let's walk through what changes were made:

• Aquafaba: used to replace egg white, aquafaba is the cooking liquid from chickpeas or other legumes. You can find it in a can of chickpeas or by saving the liquid used if you cook your own. It can be whipped to a similar texture of egg whites, making it perfect for making vegan meringues, marshmellow, and Amaretti cookies.

• Maple Syrup/Honey: used to replace the granulated sugar, they contain natural nutrients, antioxidants, and have a lower glycemic index, leading to slower blood sugar increases. They are less processed and provide a richer flavor, meaning you can use less for the same sweetness, making them a healthier alternative.

The Fusion of Tea and Amaretti

The Benefits of Incorporating Tea into Baking

Tea is more than just a relaxing beverage—it’s also a fantastic ingredient to elevate baked goods with unique flavors and sweet aromas. Using the tea leaves or when infused into a liquid, tea can enhance the depth and character of desserts while offering a variety of health benefits. Here’s why incorporating tea into baking is a great idea:

• Enhanced Flavor: Tea infuses baked goods with rich flavors, ranging from floral and fruity to earthy and smoky. They provide a unique taste to classic baked goods.

• Natural Aroma Booster: Certain teas, like jasmine or chai, provide a fragrant boost that enhances the overall sensory experience of a dessert.

• Added Antioxidants and Health Benefits: Many teas, such as green and black tea, contain antioxidants that support immune health, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness.

• Versatility in Application: Tea can be infused into butter or liquid or finely ground and mixed directly into doughs and batters for a delicate yet distinctive taste.

How Different Teas Enhance Aroma and Taste

Teas contribute to the overall sensory appeal of baked goods by enriching both their flavor and fragrance.

• Floral Teas (like lavender, hibiscus, or jasmine) add a subtle sweetness and aromatic complexity, making desserts feel more delicate and refined.

• Smoky Teas (such as Lapsang Souchong) introduce a bold, deep aroma that contrasts beautifully with sweet, nutty treats.

• Citrusy Teas (like Earl Grey or lemongrass tea) brighten the flavors of baked goods, adding a refreshing and slightly tangy note.

• Spiced Teas (such as chai) bring warmth and depth, making them perfect for enhancing almond-based or cinnamon-spiced treats.

By thoughtfully incorporating tea into baking, you can create desserts with intricate flavors, inviting aromas, and a touch of natural elegance. Whether infused, steeped, or finely ground into the recipe, tea transforms classic baked goods into something truly special.

the teas used

Tea Infused Variations

• Pumpkin Chai Spiced Amaretti

  These cookies blend the earthy sweetness of pumpkin with the warm, aromatic flavors of chai spices like cinnamon and cardamom. Balancing these spices ensures a harmonious flavor, with cinnamon providing warmth, cardamom adding complexity, and a touch of ginger and cloves for depth.

• Matcha Amaretti

  Matcha brings a unique, earthy bitterness balanced with a subtle sweetness, offering a complex flavor that pairs beautifully with the almond base of the Amaretti cookie. Its vibrant green color adds a visually striking touch, making the cookies not only delicious but also eye-catching.

• Chocolate and Black Cumin Amaretti

  These cookies combine the rich, indulgent taste of cocoa with the earthy, slightly savory notes of black cumin, creating a bold and unique flavor profile. The chocolate adds sweetness and depth, while the black cumin provides a surprising, aromatic twist that makes each bite intriguing and memorable

• Hibiscus Tea Amaretti

  Hibiscus tea lends its bright, tangy, and floral notes to the cookies, adding a refreshing complexity that balances the sweetness of the almonds. These cookies have a light, fragrant flavor with a hint of tartness from the hibiscus.

Ingredients You'll Need

2 1/4 cups (200g) almond flour or very finely ground almonds, sifted

1/2 cup maple syrup or honey

pinch salt

60g aquafaba

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 tablespoons (~3-4 tea bags) of your favorite tea

powdered monk fruit, as needed

the dough before adding the teas

Prep the Oven

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Stack two matching, heavyweight, light to medium colored cookie sheets one inside the other (stacking two cookie sheets together keeps the bottoms of the cookies from getting too brown). Line with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Infuse the Dough

In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, aquafaba until it holds soft peaks.

While the aquafaba is whipping,, whisk together almond flour, honey, salt, and your tea of choice in a large bowl until evenly incorporated. Add beaten aquafaba and almond extract to dry ingredients and stir until mixture forms a soft, sticky dough, kneading with your hands if necessary.

cookies before baking

Dust and Bake

Lightly dust your hands with powdered monk fruit. Use a small cookie scoop to portion dough into 1-inch balls. Roll into a smooth ball, then roll in powdered sugar. Arrange on parchment or silicon-lined baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between cookies.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until tops are cracked and bottoms are just barely golden (if you are NOT using doubled cookie sheets your cookies will brown much quicker, and will likely only need 15 minutes, so watch them closely). If you prefer crunchier cookies you can give them an extra 5 minutes or so or until the tops begin to brown too. Remove from oven; let cool a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Cookies will keep at room temperature in an airtight bag or container, for up to 5 days.

Bringing It All Together: The Joy of Vegan Amaretti Cookies

Vegan Amaretti cookies are a wonderfully versatile treat, offering the classic chewy texture and almond-rich flavor in a plant-based form that’s both satisfying and inclusive. Their simple base allows for endless creativity—from earthy matcha and floral hibiscus to bold spices and rich cocoa—making them the perfect canvas for unique flavor infusions.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with different teas, spices, and natural ingredients to create personalized versions that reflect your taste and style.

In the end, the true joy of baking lies not just in the process, but in sharing something made with care—these vegan treats are a sweet way to connect, celebrate, and nourish, one delicious cookie at a time.