Flavors · Siena

Ricciarelli di Siena

Soft cookies made from almond paste, sugar and egg white, shaped like a diamond, with a cracked surface dusted with sugar. They are one of Siena’s Christmas sweets and have protected geographical indication.

Traditional sweet from Siena, Toscana

Also known as: ricciarelli, ricciarello

Updated November 2026

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Ricciarelli di Siena — Siena, Italy — Ricciarelli di Siena

Ricciarelli di Siena — Siena, Italy

Ricciarelli are made with ground almonds, sugar and beaten egg white, sometimes scented with orange zest. The dough is shaped into oval diamonds, rolled in powdered sugar and baked at a low temperature. They come out with a cracked surface and a soft interior, similar to marzipan.

Almond paste was widely used in Siena from the 15th century, and the city was known for its marzipans. The sweets were so prized that they were sold in apothecaries alongside medicines and spices. A legend attributes the recipe to a knight who supposedly brought it back from the Crusades, but there is no document to confirm this.

In 2010, Ricciarelli di Siena became the first Italian baked sweet to receive protected geographical indication. Production and packaging are only allowed in the province of Siena.

Together with panforte, ricciarelli form the city’s pair of Christmas sweets, but today they are produced year-round. They are naturally flour-free and dairy-free.

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Where it comes from

Siena , Toscana
Almond cookies associated with Siena since the 15th century, protected as Ricciarelli di Siena PGI.

Ingredients

Ground almonds, sugar, egg white, powdered sugar and, in some recipes, orange zest or vanilla.

How it is eaten

At the end of a meal, with coffee, tea or a dessert wine such as Vin Santo.

When it is eaten

Traditionally at Christmas, but they are sold year-round.

Your questions

Questions about Ricciarelli di Siena

Do ricciarelli contain flour?

No. They are made with ground almonds, sugar and egg white.

What does the PGI label mean on ricciarelli?

Protected Geographical Indication: only cookies produced and packaged in the province of Siena, following specific rules, may be sold as Ricciarelli di Siena.

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