If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting magnificent Italy (okay, maybe that cute little Italian cafe where they make the best coffee can count, too), there’s no chance, not even the slightest; you’ve not encountered enticingly looking quaint little cookies that go by the name of amaretti. You’re probably nodding your head in agreement - you know amaretti, more - you probably love them, too. However, we must warn the uninitiated; amaretti are irresistibly moreish almond cookies created centuries ago and still topping our lists of the yummiest treats. So, you get how dangerously delicious they are, right?!
So, no matter if you love them or hate them (like it's possible), we think you will be absolutely delighted to meet the do-gooder of the cookie-lovers community - Chiostro di Saronno, an Italian brand descending from the family of Lazzaroni, the first to start producing traditional Italian biscuits industrially!
The History of Chiostro di Saronno
Honed over the years, Chiostro di Saronno is a beloved Italian company operating under the Lazzaroni family trademark. The well-known family is one of the prominent names on Italian confectionery & liquor markets. However, the fabled company of the Lazzaroni family expanded in 1927 by branching out into two brands to perfect the production of unique Amaretto Lazzaroni 1851, considered a hallmark product of the brand and luscious treats. While the Lazzaroni brand oversees the production of the premium quality liqueur, Chiostro di Saronno is loved for unmatched confectionery magic, resulting in perfectly delicious cookies, seasonal cakes, and other traditional Italian desserts. During the years, Chiostro di Saronno has grown exponentially, with its popularity surpassing international borders. So, there’s no way our foodies have not heard of the amaretti by Chiostro di Saronno!
The brand is named after the ancient Franciscan cloister in Saronno, Lombardy. According to gastronomical legends, it might be the exact birthplace of Amaretto liqueur, famous worldwide for its ever-so-slight bitterness and instantly uplifting zing. Chiostro di Saronno is solely dedicated to the traditional Italian pastry and confectionery, and it flawlessly reflects Saronno’s (and maybe Italy’s) fascination with almonds - by simply scrolling through our extensive selection, you will be greeted with various almondy treats, especially standing out from the crowd are amaretti cookies in colorful packages.
Chiostro di Saronno is the perfect place to start if you’re on the mission to try and eventually fall in love with Italian lusciousness - cookies, cakes, and tasty gifts made according to ancient recipes are waiting to be savored by you. So, you can definitely let your expectations soar before we go into reviewing some of our all-time favorites.
Source: Chiostro di Saronno
Delicious Gems from Chiostro di Saronno’s Assortment
The careful selection of the finest raw ingredients can be felt with every morsel of Chiostro di Saronno pandoro, classic panettone, and anything else, really. Paolo Lazzaroni, the man behind impeccable flavors, ensures precision to execute ancient recipes flawlessly, so we think it’s safe to say that Chiostro di Saronno is the ultimate supplier of authentic Italian culinary delights, adored around the world by millions. The brand constantly raises the bar higher & higher with each new product, and during the waiting period, we just sit back and enjoy myriads of flavors crafted especially for those with a taste of Italian culinary excellence.
Scrolling through our selection of Chiostro di Saronno should count as exercising, not the ordinary plank-crunches type. Still, it’s exercising control over your desires - with the range this extensive; it’s incredibly challenging to keep focused on just one or two things, and even though we also fail to do so, quite frequently, we’ve devised a list of the ultimate favorites to ease your journey a little bit, to guide you through the breathtaking Italian flavors honoring centuries-old traditions. So, if you’re all buckled up, let’s dive headfirst into our ultimate favorites:
Amaretti cookies by Chiostro di Saronno are time-honed classic treats, famous for their incredible flavor achieved by the traditional recipe. The well-known cookies are the signature delights of Saronno, born in the 18th century. The invention of amaretti cookies is steeped in a beautiful love story, about which you can read in our previous blog post; however, if you’re one of those who proudly enjoy spoilers, here’s one - amaretti cookies were made by a young couple as a gift to the Cardinal of Milan - they were asking for his blessing for marriage. Easy to guess, airy almond cookies worked their magic, and the lovely couple got married!
What we love the most about amaretti cookies by Chiostro di Saronno is the unmatched flavor, of course, but the luxury of choice is something worthy of praise, too. If you look closely, you will discover two different Italian amaretti cookies. Soft amaretti by Chiostro di Saronno are decadent treats, equally perfect for everyday indulgence and celebrations. Amaretti cookies by Chiostro di Saronno are made with 48% apricot kernels to pack each bite with delicate, nutty sweetness. However, the unique consistency is the real superstar of the product - with marzipan-like smoothness and soft interior, these delights are picky-eater approved and almost crumble-free. If you’re looking for unique flavors to fill up your cookie jar with excitement, soft lemon amaretti by Chiostro di Saronno will be ideal. They check every box on the list for the tastiest pick-me-up treat - they are packed with balanced lusciousness, smooth texture & refreshing citrus zing.
Source: Chiostro di Saronno
However, for those, on the quest for the crispiest accompaniment, crunchy amaretti by Chiostro di Saronno will be the match made in cookie heaven. Made according to an original recipe, these perfectly baked treats make an unforgettable accompaniment to your enlivening morning coffee and a velvety smooth cuppa, too. In other words, crunchy amaretti are for those who prefer their cookies dunked and packed with additional flavors. And, if it’s not you, then you certainly have a friend, or even two, with a crazy sweet tooth & a taste for addictively crunchy cookies - so, what’s better than amaretti in a jumbo window box to show some love?! We can’t think of anything else, can you?
Chiostro di Saronno’s luscious magic doesn’t end here. On the contrary, it gets even more enchanting, and with just a look at the Baci di Dama box, you’ll know that we’re telling the absolute truth (if you thought otherwise, we have to be honest, that's a little hurtful). Baci di Dama is a classic Italian cookie; to be precise, it’s a sandwich of cookies, usually prettified with a dollop of chocolate in the middle. Some say it’s supposed to resemble lips coming in together for a kiss, hence the romantic moniker - lady’s kiss or Baci di Dama in Italian. Chiostro di Saronno has mastered the recipe - with deliciously generous 16% hazelnut content, these Italian cookies have a rich aroma and pleasant melt-in-your-mouth texture! The brand has made things easier for you - presented in an adorable box, classic Italian cookies will make an unforgettably delicious make-up gift, and don’t forget to share the story about the nickname for a kiss!
We can’t finish off the cookie topic without declaring our love for traditional cantuccini biscotti by Chiostro di Saronno. Cantuccini are traditional almond biscuits, often traced back to Ancient Roman times. However, it was only during the Renaissance that Italian biscotti truly became ubiquitous treats across the country. They are made with almonds, honey and are baked twice for extended shelf life - we bet you can already hear the delicious sound of crunchy cantuccini, right?! Whether it’s a dazzling gift box (more like a gift vintage truck) you’re looking for or an all-year-round bulk supply of cantuccini, Chiostro di Saronno has got you covered!
Source: Chiostro di Saronno
Speaking of Italian delights, it would be a culinary crime to finish off without mentioning fabled seasonal cakes, such as classic panettone or pandoro, and don’t panic if you’re new to them; for the uninitiated, we have prepared blogs about both. And we know these incredibly airy cakes are deemed Christmas must-haves; however, we’re here to reassure you - they taste equally delicious at any time of the year. So, if they’re still available, it’s an undeniable sign to get them ASAP. Our assortment is fully packed to satisfy all of your sweet cravings with style - from classic panettone with candied fruits and raisins to the enticingly exquisite lemon panettone by Chiostro di Saronno; we have something for every palate! Oh, and don’t you forget about pleasantly crumbly pandoro, which is free from raisins, hear that, picky eaters?!