Amaretti are semi-spherical-shaped cookies, prepared with pounded almonds, sugar, egg whites and, sometimes, some essence. It can be soft or hard. Amaretti can be enjoyed as real cookies or tea cakes, but they are also the ingredient of many desserts. They must be kept in tightly closed boxes. With this name it is also defined a very aromatic liqueur composed of various elements, including almonds, cherries, plums, cocoa, different herbs and sugar. Like the cookie, the best known amaretto liqueur is the one of Saronno .