Florentine Cookies Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for an elegant yet surprisingly straightforward treat, look no further than these Florentine Cookies. Thin and crisply golden with caramelized almonds and a whisper of candied orange peel, they’re finished with a decadent layer of dark chocolate. Every bite is a celebration of contrasting textures and flavors, making Florentine Cookies a showstopper for special occasions or whenever you want to dazzle with minimal fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Florentine Cookies come together with just a handful of ingredients, each one playing an essential role in creating that signature lacy look and distinctive flavor. It’s proof that a few quality items, carefully combined, can result in sheer baking magic.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides luscious richness and helps meld the sugar and nuts beautifully.
- Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and caramelizes for that perfect crispy texture.
- Light Corn Syrup or Honey: Acts as the glue to hold the cookies together while adding gloss and subtle flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just a touch helps thicken the batter for that delicate lace pattern.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a hint of silkiness and ensures perfect spread and chew.
- Finely Chopped Almonds: The star of the show—choose toasted almonds if you love extra crunchiness and flavor.
- Candied Orange Peel (optional): Lends a gorgeous citrusy pop; feel free to skip or substitute with another candied fruit!
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with warmth and depth.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances all the sweetness and enhances every ingredient.
- Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate: Perfect for dipping or drizzling, adding that luxurious finish that makes Florentine Cookies irresistible.
How to Make Florentine Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats—these delicate cookies absolutely need a nonstick surface for easy removal later on.
Step 2: Make the Syrup Base
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter, sugar, and corn syrup or honey. Stir continuously until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture looks glossy and smooth. This is the foundation of the signature Florentine Cookies texture and flavor.
Step 3: Incorporate Flour and Cream
Stir in the flour and heavy cream, cooking for just 1–2 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens. This step helps transform the syrup into a dreamy, spoon-able batter that will bake into those iconic lacy rounds.
Step 4: Add Nuts, Flavorings, and Orange Peel
Remove the pan from the heat. Gently stir in the chopped almonds, optional candied orange peel, vanilla extract, and salt. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes—this ensures the batter is thick enough for neat, round cookies.
Step 5: Portion and Bake
Drop rounded teaspoons of the batter onto your prepared sheets, giving them ample space (3 inches apart) since they’ll spread. Flatten each mound slightly with the back of your spoon for that classic Florentine Cookies shape. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, just until golden and lacy around the edges.
Step 6: Cool and Add Chocolate
Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, dip the bottoms in melted chocolate or drizzle generously over the tops. Set the chocolate by letting your cookies rest on parchment until the chocolate is firm.
How to Serve Florentine Cookies
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a few flakes of sea salt right after adding the chocolate can elevate your Florentine Cookies to bakery-level beauty. For festive occasions, a sprinkle of chopped pistachios or candied orange zest adds even more color and intrigue.
Side Dishes
Florentine Cookies pair brilliantly with simple accompaniments like a bowl of creamy vanilla gelato, a dollop of mascarpone, or a cup of strong espresso. They’re also wonderful served alongside a fresh fruit compote for an Italian-inspired dessert platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for homemade gifts, tuck them into a cookie tin lined with decorative paper, or arrange on a tiered dessert stand for an elegant tea party effect. You can even use two Florentine Cookies as sandwich ends with a scoop of gelato in between for a playful twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Florentine Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Because they’re delicate, layering parchment or wax paper between the cookies helps prevent sticking and breakage.
Freezing
Yes, Florentine Cookies freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer in an airtight container (with parchment between layers) and freeze for up to a month. Simply let them come to room temperature before enjoying; the chocolate may sweat a little but the crispness remains.
Reheating
To restore a bit of fresh-from-the-oven crispness, you can spread the cookies on a baking sheet and pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 2–3 minutes. Let cool and re-set before serving. This is totally optional, as they’re delicious even straight from storage.
FAQs
Why did my Florentine Cookies spread too much?
Be sure to measure the butter and cream accurately; too much can cause excessive spreading. Also, giving the batter a few minutes to cool before portioning helps the cookies hold their shape on the baking sheet.
Can I use different nuts in Florentine Cookies?
Absolutely! Hazelnuts or pistachios are classic alternatives—each brings a unique flavor and texture to the finished cookies. Just keep your total nut volume about the same for best results.
Is the candied orange peel necessary?
No, it’s purely optional. The peel adds a wonderful citrus brightness, but feel free to omit it or use another candied fruit to customize your batch.
Do I have to use chocolate, or can I skip it?
Though the chocolate gives Florentine Cookies their signature finish, you can certainly skip it if you prefer a lighter result. The cookies will still be wonderfully crisp and full of flavor.
How do I make perfectly round Florentine Cookies?
Drop the dough in mounded teaspoons, spacing them generously. If you want ultra-uniform shapes, you can use a cookie cutter to gently reshape the cookies while they’re still warm and pliable out of the oven.
Final Thoughts
Bring some Italian elegance to your own kitchen with these irresistible Florentine Cookies. The combination of lacy caramel, toasted nuts, and silky chocolate makes them unforgettable, and the recipe is straightforward enough for any skill level. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a favorite for sharing (or not!). Happy baking!
Print
Florentine Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicate and elegant, Florentine Cookies are lacy almond cookies dipped in rich chocolate. These sophisticated treats are perfect for special occasions and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Batter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup finely chopped candied orange peel (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional:
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate, melted (for dipping or drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Mix the batter: In a medium saucepan, melt butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Stir in flour and cream, cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, add almonds, orange peel, vanilla, and salt. Let cool.
- Bake the cookies: Drop teaspoons of batter on sheets, flatten slightly, and bake for 7–9 minutes until golden and lacy. Cool on a wire rack.
- Chocolate coating: Dip the bottoms of cookies in melted chocolate or drizzle the tops. Let set on parchment.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Handle delicately as the cookies are fragile.
- Almonds can be replaced with pistachios or hazelnuts for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
