Quick & Sweet Italian Pignoli Cookies Recipe You’ll Love

Delectable Italian pignoli cookies represent a sublime fusion of nutty sophistication and Mediterranean culinary artistry.

These delicate confections boast an irresistible almond-based composition that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Crafted with precision, pignoli cookies showcase a remarkable balance between soft, dense interiors and crisp, golden exteriors studded with fragrant pine nuts.

Their gluten-free nature makes them a versatile treat for diverse dietary preferences.

Exceptional baking techniques refine simple ingredients into elegant morsels that capture the essence of traditional Italian dessert craftsmanship.

Each cookie promises a sensory journey through rich, concentrated flavors that dance between sweetness and nuttiness.

Prepare to embark on a delightful gastronomic adventure that celebrates simplicity and sophistication.

Why Italian Pignoli Cookies Are a Pine Nut Lover’s Dream

• Savor Authentic Italian Delight: These pignoli cookies capture the essence of traditional Italian pastry, offering a genuine taste of Mediterranean sweetness that transports you straight to a charming Italian bakery.
• Enjoy Luxurious Nutty Texture: Packed with pine nuts and almond flour, these cookies deliver a rich, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth, creating a delightful contrast between the soft cookie base and the crunchy nut coating.
• Master Quick and Easy Baking: With just 30 minutes of prep and 20-24 minutes of baking, these cookies are perfect for bakers of all skill levels, providing a simple yet impressive dessert that looks and tastes professionally crafted.

Ingredients for Traditional Italian Pignoli Cookies

• Almond Paste: Soft, rich base that provides intense almond flavor and creamy texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create delicate cookie structure.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.

• Egg White: Helps bind ingredients and provides light, airy texture.
• Almond Extract, Vanilla Extract: Deepens almond flavor and adds aromatic complexity.
• Almond Flour: Contributes nutty flavor and helps create tender cookie consistency.

• Pine Nuts: Classic Italian cookie topping with rich, buttery crunch.
• Confectioners Sugar: Optional finishing touch for delicate sweetness and elegant appearance.

How to Make Italian Pignoli Cookies at Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.

Step 2: Create Cookie Base

• Sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Almond flour

Mix ingredients until crumbly.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Beat egg white into the mixture on low speed until smooth. Refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare Pine Nut Coating

Spread pine nuts in a shallow dish for rolling cookies.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Dough

Remove chilled dough from refrigerator. Take tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls.

Step 6: Coat Cookies With Pine Nuts

Gently roll each dough ball in pine nuts, pressing lightly to ensure nuts stick. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Step 7: Bake Cookies

Bake cookies for 20 minutes for softer texture, or 22-24 minutes for firmer cookies.

Step 8: Cool Cookies

Let cookies rest on baking pans for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.

Step 9: Finish and Store

Dust cookies lightly with confectioners’ sugar if desired. Store in airtight container in cool, dry place for up to 1 week.

Pro Tips for Italian Pignoli Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

• Soften Almond Paste: Crumble the almond paste thoroughly to ensure smooth, consistent texture without large lumps.
• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the mixture for exactly 30 minutes to help prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Pine Nut Coating: Gently press pine nuts into dough balls to create a secure, even coverage that won't fall off after baking.
• Baking Time Precision: Watch cookies carefully during last few minutes to achieve golden edges without burning delicate pine nuts.
• Storage Strategy: Keep cookies in single layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate pine nut coating.

How to Store and Reheat Italian Pignoli Cookies Without Losing Texture

• Refrigeration: Carefully place cooled pignoli cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Separate each layer to prevent sticking and maintain delicate texture. Refrigerate for up to 5-7 days, keeping cookies away from strong-smelling foods.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place them inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 3 months to preserve their delicate pine nut and almond flavor. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Reheating: Restore cookies' fresh-from-the-oven warmth by placing them on a baking sheet at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

What Pairs Well with Italian Pignoli Cookies

• Sip Sweet Vin Santo: Pair these delicate Italian pignoli cookies with a classic Tuscan dessert wine like Vin Santo, which offers a rich, honeyed sweetness that perfectly complements the nutty pine nut flavor.
• Match with Creamy Cappuccino: Enjoy these almond-based cookies alongside a smooth, frothy cappuccino, creating a delightful Italian-style afternoon treat that balances the cookie's sweetness with robust coffee notes.
• Serve with Amaretto Liqueur: Enhance the almond essence by serving a small glass of amaretto liqueur, which echoes the cookie's nutty undertones and provides a luxurious after-dinner digestif experience.
• Create a Nutty Dessert Plate: Arrange the pignoli cookies with other Italian nut-based treats like torrone or amaretti cookies, offering a delectable variety of textures and flavors for a memorable dessert spread.

Italian Pignoli Cookies with a Twist: New Takes to Try

• Chocolate Pine Nut Cookies: Add melted dark chocolate to the dough for a rich, decadent flavor. Drizzle extra chocolate on top after baking and sprinkle with additional pine nuts for extra crunch.
• Lemon Zest Pine Nut Cookies: Mix fresh lemon zest into the dough to create a bright, citrusy version. Replace almond extract with pure lemon extract for an intensified citrus profile.
• Gluten-Free Nutty Cookies: Substitute almond flour with gluten-free coconut flour or ground cashew flour. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Honey Lavender Pine Nut Cookies: Incorporate dried lavender buds and replace some sugar with honey for a sophisticated, floral undertone. Garnish with a light lavender sugar dusting after cooling.

Italian Pignoli Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 49 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Pine nut cookies from Italy sparkle with almond paste richness and delicate sweetness. Crisp exterior and chewy center invite you to savor these traditional Mediterranean delights in one perfect, memorable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond paste
• 1 large egg white
• 1 ¼ cups pine nuts (pignoli) (about 7 ¼ ounces)
• ¼ cup almond flour (approximately 1 ¼ ounces)

Sweeteners and Seasonings:

• ¼ ounce granulated sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 pinch of salt (equivalent to about ¼ teaspoon)

Flavor Enhancers:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract

Finishing Ingredient:

• Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them to prevent sticking.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, crumble the almond paste into small pieces and combine with granulated sugar, salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, and almond flour until the mixture becomes coarse and crumbly.
3. Gradually add the egg white to the mixture, beating on low speed until the batter becomes smooth and uniform in texture.
4. Refrigerate the dough for approximately 30 minutes to firm up and make it easier to handle.
5. While the dough chills, spread the pine nuts evenly in a shallow dish, preparing them for coating the cookie balls.
6. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and scoop out tablespoon-sized portions, gently rolling each into a smooth ball.
7. Carefully roll each dough ball in the pine nuts, applying light pressure to ensure the nuts adhere completely to the surface of the cookie.
8. Arrange the pine nut-coated cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
9. Bake the cookies for 20-24 minutes, adjusting the time depending on your preference for softer or crispier texture – 20 minutes for a softer cookie, 22-24 minutes for a firmer result.
10. After baking, let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to slightly cool and set their structure.
11. Transfer the cookies to wire cooling racks and allow them to cool completely to room temperature.
12. Once cooled, optionally dust the cookies with a light coating of confectioners’ sugar for added sweetness and presentation.
13. Store the finished pignoli cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to one week to maintain their freshness and texture.

Notes

• Pine nuts bring authentic Italian flavor and delightful crunch to these delicate almond-based cookies.
• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and ensures a perfect round shape during baking.
• Gentle rolling technique creates uniform cookies that look professionally handcrafted.
• Almond paste provides rich, intense nutty undertones that make these treats truly special.
• Minimal ingredients guarantee a classic, traditional dessert that celebrates simplicity and elegance.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 24 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 45mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: <1mg