If you have a sweet tooth and adore delicate, crunchy treats, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Florentines Cookies Recipe. These little beauties are thin, crispy, and packed with toasted almonds and vibrant candied fruits, all held together by a rich caramel-like base. Each cookie offers a perfect balance of buttery sweetness and fruity zing, making them irresistible companions with afternoon tea or a cozy coffee break. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a cherished go-to recipe for any special occasion or simple indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Florentines Cookies Recipe is wonderfully straightforward. Each element plays a crucial role in creating that signature lace-like texture and heavenly flavor that make these cookies so special.
- Unsalted butter: Provides rich creaminess and helps the cookies crisp up beautifully without overpowering sweetness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the mixture and caramelizes slightly to form a golden crust.
- All-purpose flour: Binds the ingredients just enough to hold the cookies together while keeping them light.
- Heavy cream: Adds moisture and silkiness, ensuring the batter spreads evenly for that perfect thinness.
- Sliced almonds: Give the cookies a nutty crunch and decorative appeal.
- Candied fruits: Introduce bursts of color and a tangy sweetness that brighten every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
How to Make Florentines Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking, giving you those perfect lacy edges we all love.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Sugar Together
In a saucepan, gently melt the unsalted butter and granulated sugar over a low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and glossy, setting the base for an irresistibly caramelized flavor in your cookies.
Step 3: Mix in Flour and Cream
Next, stir in the all-purpose flour and heavy cream until everything comes together into a silky, smooth batter. This step is key to getting the right consistency, allowing your mixture to spread thinly while baking.
Step 4: Add Almonds, Candied Fruit, and Vanilla
Remove your saucepan from the heat, then fold in the sliced almonds, chopped candied fruits, and a splash of vanilla extract. These add texture, bursts of flavor, and that lovely aromatic touch that elevates the whole cookie experience.
Step 5: Spoon Batter onto Baking Sheet
Using a teaspoon, drop small mounds of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them well apart. This gives each cookie room to spread into beautiful thin discs.
Step 6: Flatten Each Cookie
Gently press down each mound with the back of a spoon, encouraging them to spread evenly to form those classic Florentine shapes. This step ensures that perfect balance between delicate crunch and chewiness.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden Brown
Pop your baking sheet into the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them—once they turn a lovely golden brown around the edges, they’re ready to come out.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow the Florentines cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet; this lets them firm up beautifully. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Patience here pays off with perfectly crisp cookies.
How to Serve Florentines Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an elegant touch, you might drizzle melted dark chocolate or white chocolate over the cooled Florentines. Alternatively, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a delicate finish that makes these treats feel extra special.
Side Dishes
Florentines cookies are exquisite alongside a steaming cup of tea or coffee. They also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla or almond ice cream, creating a delightful contrast of warm, crunchy cookie with creamy coldness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Layer Florentines between sheets of wax paper in a beautiful box for a handmade gift. Or stack them with fresh berries and whipped cream for a stunning dessert tower. Their delicate appearance makes them a showstopper anytime.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Florentines cookies (which might be hard to believe!), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crisp for up to a week, maintaining that delightful crunch you worked so hard to achieve.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies by layering them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them gently at room temperature to preserve their texture and flavor.
Reheating
If your Florentines have lost a bit of their crispness, revive them by warming briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-4 minutes. This refreshes their texture without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts besides almonds in the Florentines Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While sliced almonds are traditional and provide a delicate crunch, you can experiment with chopped hazelnuts, pistachios, or walnuts for a different but equally wonderful flavor profile.
Are Florentines cookies gluten-free?
Traditional Florentines use all-purpose flour which contains gluten. However, you can substitute it with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for gluten-free diets with great success.
How thin should the cookie batter be spread?
The batter should be dropped as small mounds and flattened so that it spreads into thin, delicate discs while baking. This is essential to achieve their signature lacy, crunchy texture.
Can I make the Florentines cookies vegan?
Making traditional Florentines vegan can be tricky since they rely on butter and cream. However, you can experiment with plant-based butter and coconut cream as substitutes, though the texture and flavor might vary slightly.
What causes Florentines to become sticky?
If your Florentines are sticky, it could be due to underbaking or too much moisture in the batter. Make sure to bake until golden brown and let them cool completely on a rack to allow them to set and crisp fully.
Final Thoughts
There’s something utterly magical about making your own Florentines Cookies Recipe from scratch — from the simple ingredients to the golden, almond-studded results that melt in your mouth. I can’t recommend this recipe enough for anyone who loves elegant, crispy treats that are surprisingly easy to whip up. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones. These Florentines will not only satisfy your sweet cravings but will quickly become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire.
Print
Florentines Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Florentines are delicate, crisp cookies made with a buttery almond and candied fruit mixture. These elegant treats combine a crunchy texture with sweet, nutty flavors, perfect for serving with tea or coffee or as a delightful holiday dessert.
Ingredients
Florentine Cookies Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup candied fruits, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of cookies.
- Melt Butter and Sugar: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Add Flour and Cream: Stir in the all-purpose flour and heavy cream to the melted butter and sugar, whisking until you achieve a smooth, consistent batter.
- Mix in Almonds and Fruits: Remove the saucepan from heat and fold in the sliced almonds, chopped candied fruits, and vanilla extract, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Form Cookies: Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading during baking.
- Flatten Mounds: Gently flatten each mound with the back of a spoon to create thin cookie shapes, which will crisp nicely in the oven.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown around the edges, indicating they are crisp and fully cooked.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking and for easy cleanup.
- You can substitute candied fruits with dried cherries or cranberries if preferred.
- Ensure even flattening for uniform baking and crispiness.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness up to one week.
- Optional: For an extra touch, drizzle melted chocolate over cooled florentines for added decadence.
