Amaretti
Cookies with Pandan and Pistachios
Ingredients
For the cookies:
2-1/4
cups (225g) almond flour
3/4
cup (150g) granulated sugar
3
large egg whites
1/4
teaspoon cream of tartar
1-1/2
teaspoons green pandan extract
1
teaspoon almond extract
1
tablespoon red miso (gluten-free if that is a concern)
1/3
cup (43g) pistachios, chopped finely
For
coating and topping the cookies:
1/3
cup (67g) granulated sugar, in a shallow bowl or plate
1/2
cup (57g) confectioners’ sugar, in a shallow bowl or plate, plus more as needed
to dust the cookies
18
whole, roasted almonds
Culinary-grade
matcha
Instructions
Line two
baking sheets with parchment paper. Adjust two racks to the upper- and
lower-middle positions of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (F).
Make the
cookies:
Whisk the
almond flour and granulated sugar together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Using a
stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of
tartar on high speed until frothy. Add the pandan and almond extracts and whip
on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
Transfer
the almond flour mixture to the bowl of the stand mixer, along with the miso
and chopped pistachios. Mix on low speed until a thick and cohesive dough
forms. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Press each dough ball with the bottom of a sugar-coated glass or measuring cup until the cookie edges begin to crack, about 1/2 inch in thickness. Alternatively, skip the flattening step and keep the balls of dough rounded. Press a whole almond into the center of each dough ball.
Bake all
the cookies, switching the sheets between top and bottom racks and rotating
front to back once halfway through until lightly browned around the edges and
cracked, about 25 minutes.
Let the
cookies set and cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a
wire rack to cool completely. Dust the tops with a little more confectioners’
sugar, then some matcha, if using.
Notes
Swap out
the almonds for your favorite nut.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
"Excerpted
from 108 Asian Cookies: Not-Too-Sweet Treats from a Third-Culture
Kitchen by Kat Lieu. Copyright © 2025 by Kathleen Lieu. Photographs in cookbook by
Charity Burggraaf. Used with permission from Voracious, an imprint of Little,
Brown and Company."
All other photos on this blog post provided by Kim Davis.
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G I V E A W A Y T I M E !!!
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I'm giving away a signed copy of
108 Asian Cookies by Kat Lieu!
Comment below and include your email (yourname at yourserver dot com) for a chance to win 108 Asian Cookies. (Contest ends 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Contest is limited to US residents only due to shipping rates.)
Readers, do you collect cookbooks?
I like to get old cook books. I have one from the late 1800's early 1900's as the talk about how much wood to add to your stove.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing cookbook keepsake Deborah! I find old recipes/cookbooks fascinating since so much has changed, like food availability and eating habits, over the years.
DeleteYes, I collect cookbooks! Also, recipe boxes when I can find them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recipe AND the chance to win.
madamhawk at gmail dot com
There are some beautiful recipe boxes out there. How fun to collect them and cookbooks!
Deleteno don't collect cookbooks but recipe cards have a lot of those this recipe sounds good
ReplyDeletedon.stewart@zoominternet.net
I have a lot of recipe cards too, on top of bookshelves of cookbooks. I especially like getting the recipe cards from other authors from recipes in their books :)
DeleteI had a lot of cookbooks until I moved and I donated them all. Thank you for the recipe and the chance. Deborah deborahortega229@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the recipient(s) were grateful to be able to have your cookbooks! Even though you can find just about any recipe online, it's still nice to hold the actual book in your hands and flip through the pages.
DeleteI used to collect cookbooks, but eventually got rid of many of them as they took up so very much space. Most of the cookbooks I kept are those from community and church groups. One of my go-to favorites is a three ring binder published (yes really!) by a dear friend, a collection of family recipes. She is the daughter of Italian immigrants and an incredible cook. Cookies sound delicious. Thanks! makennedyinaz at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteFamily recipes passed down through the years are a treasure to keep! How lucky to have a copy of your friend's cookbook!
DeleteThank you for the Amaretti Cookies with Pandan and Pistachios recipe. Sounds interesting and I'm sure delicious.
ReplyDelete2clowns at arkansas dot net
You're welcome, Kay! These cookies are meringue based, so a bit crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside... my favorite texture in cookies!
DeleteI once had an old cookie book, like that It was called COokie Jar. I learned with it, to make cookies.. And I had it until it fell apart. I think, I have some of the recipes in a binder. Oh, and I wear green every St Patrick's Day. Usually. johnlong83@rocketmail.com
ReplyDeleteI think I have an old copy of The Cookie Jar, John! It's a great cookbook for traditional cookies, too. Oh yes, I have a lot of green to wear on St. Patrick's Day as well :)
DeleteI used to collect cookbooks. Although, I didn't entirely consider it as, collecting. At the time. Then I had to par down, after losing some in a flood. And I had to move, soon after that. johnlong83@rocketmail.com
ReplyDeleteHow sad to lose books due to flooding... I'm sorry that happened to you!
DeleteI have a few cookbooks which were gifts which I treasure. I use one of them for holidays and special celebrations. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCookbooks make for special gifts to those who enjoy cooking! I've received several over the years and I have to say I truly enjoy when cookbooks are brought back to me by family members who have traveled internationally!
DeleteYes, I enjoy looking at the photos and contemplating when and where I would serve the most enticing dishes, and I collect them as souvenirs of places we stayed. A copy of the recipes from the Bear Mountain Lodge in Silver City, NM is on my kitchen counter now and generates fond memories. I'd love to win this as my Korean DIL is a great baker and so I know she would love to read it! (lindaoakton@yahoo.com)
DeleteI have a few cookbooks but mostly get them from the library
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love a well-stocked cookbook aisle at the library! It's so fun to browse and find new recipes to try out. That said, I've found some cookbooks there that I fell in love with and had to purchase for myself once the library book was due for return :)
DeleteI can always count on you sharing exceptional recipes to bake, dear Kim! These cookies look beautiful, and surely taste delicious. I will now be on the lookout for the ingredients I don’t have. Thank you for sharing this recipe and HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY ☘️ JOY!!! Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteThank you, Luis, and I hope you enjoy these as much as we have! Happy St. Patrick's Day to you as well!
DeleteYes, I collect cookbooks. I have quite the collection! I pick out a handful of recipes to try in a different cookbook each month. I love vintage cookbooks and Julia Child cookbooks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance and for sharing the delicious cookie recipe!
jarjm1980(@)hotmail(dot)com
Picking out recipes from different cookbooks each month is such a great idea! I'll admit there are a few cookbooks that's I've drooled over the photos and tabbed to try, but then never got around to it. I'm going to have to try your approach!
DeleteI read cookbooks rather like novels. I can almost taste the recipes.
ReplyDeleteWhere does one get pandan?
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I'm like you, Libby! Cookbooks are meant to be read. Pandan can be found at Asian markets or ordered online. I'm lucky to have an Asian market within a mile of my house.
DeleteOh, this is so fun, Kim. Thanks for the recipe and another cookbook to read.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Molly! This is definitely one of those cookbooks you'll love turning every page!
DeleteYes, I collect cookbooks. Although I mostly use online recipes, I have over 130 cookbooks at home.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love eating pandan desserts. I ate several pandan desserts during my recent travels in Asia, but no cookies.
Wow, what an amazing number of cookbooks, Grace! I'd love to see your library :) I'll have to track down other desserts to use my bottle of pandan in... yummy!
DeleteWhat mouthwatering photos, Kim! I had to look up pandan, and now I want some, especially in those cookies, yum! Yes I collected cookbooks for many years, and still enjoy reading them like novels. These days I mostly borrow them from the library, as I've run out of shelf-space! I've received many of my cookbooks as gifts, and would ask people to bring some back whenever they traveled. Recently I've devoured cookbooks by writers, such as Adriana Trigiani's COOKING WITH MY SISTERS, and BRUNO'S COOKBOOK:Recipes and Traditions from a French Country Kitchen by writer Martin Walker and his wife Julia Watson. Great recipes and stories! Thanks for the giveaway. lynnvaughan9 AT Gmail DOT com.
ReplyDeleteI've found shelf space to be a problem in my house too, Lynn! Good trouble to have :) Thanks for your cookbook recommendations, and I'm going to look into those.
DeleteI do love to collect cookbooks, and I do enjoy Asian inspired ones. Thanks for sharing the recipe. It looks yummy. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Cherie! It's amazing how so many different cultures can add a depth to our meals and desserts!
DeleteFor someone who doesn't cook much, I have an inordinate number of cookbooks. I have four editions of Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, starting with the 1950 edition that was my mothers. baileybounce2@att.net
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful keepsake to have from your mother, Sherry! I also have a Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook from my mom as well! I think it was a staple in a lot of kitchens back then.
DeleteCookbooks are so much fun to read! This is such a pretty cookbook!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Cookbooks ARE fun to read and this one has such yummy photos included with each recipe too!
DeleteI am very intrigued by the "not too sweet" line. I never liked desserts that are too sweet. Even as a child, I scraped off the frosting from cakes. I would love to win this cookbook!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way, Lisa! I found that the cookies were even sweet enough without the sprinkle of powdered sugar too, but it adds a pretty accent to the cookies :)
DeleteYes I collect cook books. My mom was in a cookbook club for a long time and when she passed my sister and divided them. There were 65 cook books that she has collected alone. I have some very old ones and ones that my grandma and her church done.
ReplyDeleteforgot to put my email address tazzlvr_99 (at) Yahoo (dot) com
DeleteI collect cookbooks. Love the old ones. tracymcdonaldashe@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteDear Kim Davis,
ReplyDeleteI do have a collection of cookbooks and enjoy trying out new recipes often. When I have guests in I will often try to give new recipes a try in the season. They often ask for a copy of the recipe as it is new to them. Really enjoy trying cookies as there are so many varieties and not just the same things all the time. The recipe for the Amaretti cookies you shared, looks perfect for St. Patrick's day with the women's group over for book review. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Cindy Shaul
cindy.l.shaul@gmail.com
I have several recipe boxes with recipe cards filed by recipe category. All of these are recipes from family and friends that aren't found in recipe books. In my library/home office I have 2 1/2 shelves with a number of recipe books of all kinds . From professional chefs and cuisine cooks to spiral bound organization recipe books from Churches and schools. I would very much like to have this book to add to my collection.and I thank you for the opportunity. I use my recipe books all the time. There are many delicious recipes in the pages of those books.
ReplyDeletelaurie(dot)anismom2(at)gmail(dot)com
I love baking especially things that I have never heard of nor tried
ReplyDeleteMelton McKinney
ReplyDeletejugheadmckinney@gmail.com
Those cookies look delish. With 8 grandchildren I’m always testing out new recipes. I like the little ones to try out new foods.
ReplyDeleteYes I have a collection of cookbooks that I've collected over the years. I would love this cookbook to add to my Asian collection since I have none with sweet treats.
ReplyDeleteb5sycop@nefcom.net
Yes I collect cookbooks! I love cookbooks! I love going to yard sales and picking them up. I especially like cookbooks that have 5 or less ingredients!! Thank you! Terri Rinko, rinkobc9@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteyes
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com