Amarena Cherry Stuffed Amaretti
There is a funny story attached to this recipe. Having friends around is always an excuse to bake, to spread not only the love, but the calories. And so it was that a plate of these delicious almond macaroons stuffed with expensive amarena cherries were sitting on the coffee table when friends arrived for coffee last week. As is his habit our dog Monty barked loudly at the sound of the door bell. He greeted our friends then raced off to find his toy. We stood chatting in the entrance for a minute or two and when we finally sat down there was an empty macaroon plate on the table and one little white dog looking very pleased with himself! Fortunately half the batch was safely stored in an airtight container. Yes, Monty is special, but did I want to share these sweet morsels with him? No!!
Almost 12 months ago I bookmarked a recipe posted by Stefan Gourmet Blog for Amarena cherry stuffed almond cookies. I even bought the cherries to make to recipe, but I scoffed the lot, straight from the jar, they were seriously delicious.
Making simple coconut macaroons with my grand daughters during the summer holidays reminded of this recipe, so before another jar of Amarena cherries disappeared I launched into action.
Stefan is a very precise cook, but years of experience have taught me that compromises and shortcuts work in some instances, so I threw these wondrous morsels together omitting many of his steps. I tweaked the finishing off process though to add pizzaz to the look.
I hope you enjoy these as much as Monty and I did.
Amarena cherry stuffed amaretti
1X230g jar Fabbri amarena cherries, thoroughly drained, syrup reserved*
250 whole raw almonds
200g castor sugar
50g cornflour
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon amarena cherry syrup
2 egg whites
125g slivered almonds
In the jug of a food processor put the almonds, cornflour and sugar. Process until very fine, then with the motor running add the almond extract and amarena syrup.
Slowly add the egg white adding only enough to bring the mixture together.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl then chill the mixture for 1 hour.
Pre heat the oven to 170C fan forced. Line 2 baking trays with silicone paper.
Spread the slivered almonds on a plate.
Roll scant dessertspoons full of almond paste into balls.
Poke a hole in each ball with your little finger, insert a whole cherry then smooth the macaroon mixture over the cherry to totally enclose it.
Reroll the macaroon.
Pat the top surface into the slivered almonds then place naked side down on the oven tray.
Continue until all the mixture is used.
Bake until lightly golden, 10-12minutes.
Cool on a cake wire then store in an airtight container.
Makes about 30 bite sized macaroons
*There will be a few cherries leftover. Return them to the syrup for later use, if you can resist!
*The syrup, once redundant is delicious served over vanilla ice cream and fresh berries, or turned into a delicious long drink with icy soda water.
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30 comments on “Amarena Cherry Stuffed Amaretti”
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Please Pass the Recipe by Sandra Gay is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.
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Monty sounds like a true gourmet. If he ate a whole plate full, I know I must give them a try. 😀 They sound absolutely delicious.
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Not sure my greedy canine is very discerning Karen, but the amarena stuffed amaretti were seriously delicious!
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Wow! I certainly wouldn’t have been able to resist these. Hope Monty didn’t end up with indigestion after scoffing down so many. And, I’m with you, simplify and adapt rather than slave in the kitchen. Almond and cherry – a match made in heaven.
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Monty’s tum was bulging but he didn’t seem to suffer any ill effects. I was very cross with him! The upside was he saved me from over consumption, the flavour and texture was wonderful. I’ll make them again one day and keep them well out of his reach!!
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Sent from my iPad
>
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Oh, no … Monty! Good that you had some saved back. They look delicious.
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He a loveable rogue….
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Theses sound and look wonderful. I love the addition of cherries, such a great compliment to the almonds. As for the pooch, I totally understand! Our dog is on steroids due to Addison’s disease and let’s just say she is always hungry. I can’t leave anything on the counter with her around,so she gets sent outside often. Unfortunately the hubby las been know. To let her in without my knowing and she has eaten cookies off the counter while I am upstairs!
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It was entirely my fault for leaving the biscuits on a low table. The temptation was just too much! It won’t happen again….
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Monty sounds like a loveable scoundrel! These look delicious, the plate is gorgeous and I hear you on the calorie sharing. Fab photos as well Mrs R!
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He just loves to eat, he’s a natural fit in our household….
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These look wonderful…..but I’ve never heard of an Amarena cherry!
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Sue, if you like maraschino flavours, you’ll love Italian Amarena cherries. I adore them, and find them irresistable…
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I wonder where I can find them…I’ll do an Internet search!
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And your plate is just gorgeous!
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Thanks. It’s a one off craft piece, I love it too…
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These look and sound fabulous, Sandra and quite clearly, Monty thought so too!! I now have an excuse to buy those cherries, which I must add to the shopping list pronto!!
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Hah, yes Monty is a pooch with Champagne tastes, not sure I really wanted to share these delicious morsels with him though. Enjoy….
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Oh my! This is being pinned. You got me at having friends round is a ‘way to spread the calories’ LOL. anne
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Well Anne, I love to cook, and often want to try recipes for sweet treats, but sadly I think of food and add weight, so sharing saves me a kilo here and a kilo there. Who needs chocolate if there is a batch of these yummy treats in the pantry….
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Love the look of these!
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Thanks Paola, they were a little fiddly to roll but well worth the effort
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Great recipe. I love amarena cherries (here in France we have a comparable thing called “griottines”), especially when combined with almonds or pistachios. These are so pretty!
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Thanks Darya. I can buy Griottines here but they are even more expensive than Amarena cherries. I love both marzipan and maraschino flavours which made these doubly good for me
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Amaretti by itself is such a delicious cookie and you went a step further to fill them with amarena cherries. Very delectable and yes, I will enjoy as much as you and Monty. 😀 )))
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Do try them Fae…..
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