Florentine Cookies are delicate, lacy confections kissed with buttery caramel, toasted almonds, and just a whisper of orange. Finished with a shimmer of dark chocolate, these nutty, crisp cookies are an unforgettable treat, perfect for impressing guests, gifting over the holidays, or just savoring with a cup of your favorite coffee. If you love a cookie that’s equal parts elegance and indulgence, you’re about to find your new obsession in Florentine Cookies!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Florentine Cookies comes from a handful of deceptively simple ingredients, each playing a starring role in flavor and texture. Let’s peek at each one and why it’s essential for the perfect batch!
- Unsalted butter: Rich and creamy, it forms the decadent foundation that binds everything together.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps caramelize the cookies to achieve their signature golden, lacy appearance.
- Heavy cream: Lends a bit of luxurious silkiness to balance the crunch.
- Honey: Adds a subtle floral note and helps the edges crisp beautifully.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharply heightens every other flavor in the cookie.
- Sliced almonds: The classic nut in Florentine Cookies, these provide crunch and nutty richness.
- All-purpose flour: Only a touch is needed to set the cookie’s structure without weighing them down.
- Candied orange peel: Brings an unmistakable, classic aroma; you can substitute dried cranberries for a twist.
- Vanilla extract: A splash deepens the overall flavor profile and makes everything taste a bit more “bakery fresh.”
- Semi-sweet or dark chocolate: For drizzling or dipping, it adds an irresistible bittersweet finish.
How to Make Florentine Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This nifty trick ensures your Florentine Cookies lift right off without a hitch and makes cleanup an absolute breeze!
Step 2: Create the Caramel Base
In a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine the butter, sugar, heavy cream, honey, and salt. Stir gently as everything melts and mingles, then keep stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved and the sweet mixture comes to a bubbly boil. This step infuses the cookies with their signature caramel goodness!
Step 3: Add the Flavor Builders
Once your base is ready, remove the pan from heat and stir in the flour, sliced almonds, candied orange peel, and vanilla extract. Everything should come together into a thick, glossy mixture that smells almost too good to be true. Let it cool for a couple of minutes; this helps the mix firm up slightly, making it much easier to portion.
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each mound about three inches apart (these delicate beauties spread a lot!). Gently flatten each with the back of a spoon for even lacy cookies. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers are bubbly. Keep a close eye—these can go from perfect to too-dark in a flash!
Step 5: Cooling and Transferring
Once out of the oven, let the Florentine Cookies cool directly on the baking sheet for about five minutes. This gives them time to set and firm up. Then, use a spatula to carefully transfer them to a wire rack, where they’ll finish crisping up to irresistible crunchiness.
Step 6: The Chocolate Finale
After the cookies are fully cooled, melt your semi-sweet or dark chocolate in a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave. Dip the bottoms of each cookie into the glossy chocolate, or take a fork and drizzle it charmingly over the tops. Let the chocolate set (a quick pop in the fridge helps), and marvel at your stunning, bakery-worthy Florentine Cookies!
How to Serve Florentine Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies are a work of art on their own, but if you’re feeling fancy, try a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios atop the still-wet chocolate, or a dusting of edible gold for a festive touch. Even the classic zigzag drizzle of melted chocolate is all it takes to make these little treats sparkle on the plate!
Side Dishes
Florentine Cookies pair delightfully with an espresso, a frothy cappuccino, or even a cozy pot of black tea. For an elevated dessert plate, serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or a bowl of zesty lemon sorbet—the contrast is simply divine.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them artfully in a clear cellophane bag tied with a pretty ribbon for an elegant homemade gift. Layer Florentine Cookies in a beautiful tin between sheets of parchment for a hostess present. Or, arrange them in a crescent shape to frame a scoop of gelato—simple, swoon-worthy, and oh-so-inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Florentine Cookies at their best, store them in an airtight container, placing sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll stay fresh and delightfully crisp for up to a week at room temperature—if they last that long!
Freezing
If you want to save some cookies for a later treat, Florentine Cookies freeze surprisingly well. Just arrange them in single layers with parchment in between, seal in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll keep for about two months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
Reheating
If your cookies lose a bit of their crunch after storage, simply pop them onto a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for about 2–3 minutes. Let cool, and they’ll be perfectly crispy again, just like the day you made them.
FAQs
Are Florentine Cookies gluten-free?
Florentine Cookies traditionally include a small amount of all-purpose flour, but you can easily swap in a gluten-free flour blend for the same crisp, delicate texture. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free!
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While sliced almonds are classic, you can try chopped pecans, hazelnuts, or even pistachios for a fun twist. Just make sure the nuts are thinly sliced or chopped for even spreading.
Why are my Florentine Cookies sticking to the baking sheet?
This usually happens if you forget to use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. With these cookies’ delicate nature and caramelized sugar, a lined baking sheet is essential for effortless removal every time.
Can I make Florentine Cookies without chocolate?
Definitely! The cookies are utterly delicious on their own, especially with the hint of orange. The chocolate just adds an extra bit of decadence, but feel free to skip or substitute with white chocolate or even a dusting of powdered sugar.
Why did my cookies spread so much?
Florentine Cookies are known for spreading into beautiful, thin wafers, but too much spreading can result from a warm batter or crowded baking sheets. Allow your mixture to cool slightly before scooping, and space the cookies well apart for perfect results.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about baking and sharing Florentine Cookies—each crisp, chocolate-swirled bite plays with texture and flavor in the most delightful way. I hope you’ll try these for yourself and experience the joy of a homemade Italian classic. Happy baking!
Print
Florentine Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicate and crispy Florentine Cookies are a classic Italian treat perfect for any occasion. These almond lace cookies are adorned with candied orange peel and a decadent chocolate drizzle, adding a touch of sweetness to each bite.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup finely chopped candied orange peel
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Drizzle:
- 4 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix Ingredients: In a small saucepan, melt butter, sugar, cream, honey, and salt. Remove from heat and stir in flour, almonds, orange peel, and vanilla.
- Bake: Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture on the baking sheet, flatten slightly, and bake for 8–10 minutes until golden.
- Drizzle Chocolate: Melt chocolate and dip cookies or drizzle chocolate over the tops. Let set before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispness, store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers.
- You can substitute candied orange peel with dried cranberries or skip it for a simpler version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
