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Pignoli Cookies Recipe

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4.3 from 8 reviews

Pignoli Cookies are delightful Italian treats featuring a chewy almond paste base studded with crunchy pine nuts. These sweet, nutty cookies offer a perfect balance of soft and crisp textures with a hint of natural almond flavor, making them a beloved classic especially during festive seasons.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 1 (7-ounce) package almond paste (sliced or broken into pieces)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg white
  • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup almond flour

Topping

  • ¾ cup pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare the Almond Paste Mixture: In a food processor, combine almond paste, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, egg white, and sea salt. Pulse until the mixture forms a thick, smooth paste that is well combined.
  3. Incorporate Almond Flour: Transfer the almond paste mixture to a medium bowl and stir in the almond flour until thoroughly combined, creating a slightly firm cookie dough.
  4. Shape and Coat Cookies: Place pine nuts in a small bowl. Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough and roll into balls using your hands. If the dough is too soft to roll, chill it in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to firm up. Then roll each ball in the pine nuts, pressing lightly so the nuts adhere well to the surface.
  5. Arrange and Flatten Cookies: Place the pine nut-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least an inch between them to allow for spreading. Gently press down on the tops of the cookies to flatten slightly.
  6. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden brown around the edges, indicating they are done.
  7. Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

  • If the dough is too sticky to handle, chilling it briefly helps make rolling easier.
  • Ensure pine nuts are fresh for the best flavor and crunch.
  • Slight flattening before baking helps cookies bake evenly and maintain a nice shape.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/pignoli-cookies-recipe/