Description
Delight in the classic Italian treat, Pignoli Cookies, featuring a tender almond paste dough encrusted with crunchy pine nuts. These sweet, chewy cookies are perfect for festive occasions or an everyday indulgence, offering a rich almond flavor balanced by a light crisp exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 12 oz. almond paste, crumbled
- 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
Topping
- 1 cup pine nuts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the crumbled almond paste, powdered sugar, egg whites, and kosher salt. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated, forming a consistent dough.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Lightly dampen your hands and roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Pour the pine nuts onto a shallow plate, then roll each ball in the pine nuts, gently pressing them to adhere. Place the nut-coated balls onto the prepared baking sheets and flatten each slightly to create 1 1/2-inch rounds.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until they are lightly golden on the edges, indicating they are perfectly baked without losing their chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For best results, use high-quality almond paste to ensure a rich almond flavor.
- If pine nuts are expensive or unavailable, you can substitute with slivered almonds, though this will alter the traditional texture.
- Keep egg whites at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- These cookies keep well in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Handle the dough gently to maintain the cookies’ tender texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
