So this recipe’s been a long time coming. Pignoli Cookies. Yep.
And right about now Hubby is saying to himself (or to anyone within earshot), “It’s about time!”
The pignoli cookie, actually any cookie prepared with almond paste, is my big guy’s favorite. However – I’ve always been a little afraid to make them. Yep. This little cookie, with its tiny little seeds, seeds that have journeyed far from the fragrant cozy atmosphere of the cones that fall from the Italian stone pine tree to the local markets and specialty foods shops of our hometowns, has indeed intimidated me for as long as I can remember.
Well that ends today! No more(!) little seed… I’m coming for you. My man deserves this cookie and I’m just too old to be scared.
I guess I’ve always felt a fair amount of pressure to get it right, since A) I want it to be perfect for Hubby, and B) it’s a classic…gracing the tables of lavish holiday gatherings; filling to the brim cardboard bakery boxes wrapped tightly in oatmeal colored raffia; or hiding in Italian grandmothers’ cookie jars set ever so strategically for little hands to find.
So you see – I needed to do the pignoli cookie right…I needed to do it justice. Pressure.
It has taken me this long – but I’m ready.
And perhaps it was a self-fulfilling prophecy – but these little gems gave me a run for my money… Yep, I didn’t get it right with the first batch, or the second, or – okay, we’ll leave it there.
But my trials, Dom assures me, have paid off.
The couple notes I have for you are to be sure you let the batter rest to an obvious firmness before scooping and rolling in the pine nuts and keep a close watch on their color as they bake. They go from golden and chewy to brown and crispy pretty quickly, so 13 – 15 minutes is a good window of time when you’re making smaller-sized cookies. Just be aware. It’s science.
And then – if all goes well – you can be delighting in one of the most beloved cookies made popular from the kitchens of southern Italy…
Doesn’t that sound good?
Happy weekend, my friends…
Buon Appetito!
Print
Pignoli Cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 10 oz. almost paste, crumbled
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1 cup pine nuts
- Confectioners’ sugar, to sprinkle
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the sugar and egg whites.
- Crumble the almond paste into the egg mixture and add the salt and almond extract.
- Whip the mixture until the consistency is even and smooth, about 5 minutes.
- When mixture is smooth, set aside allowing the batter to firm up, about 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, preheat oven to 350 F.
- Prepare two cookie sheets with parchment.
- Place pignoli in a small bowl.
- When batter is firm enough, scoop (scant) 1/2 Tbsp. measures, you’ll need a second spoon to slip the batter out of the measuring spoon, and roll in the pignoli.
- Rest cookies on prepared cookie sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 13 – 15 minutes or until golden, rotating the two pans from the upper and lower thirds of the oven, half way through baking.
- Cool completely then sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.
- Serve.
Ciao!
Classic recipes are totally daunting because there’s so much pressure to get them just right! These cookies look beautiful, I think you did a wonderful job 🙂
Indeed! Too much pressure! Thank you, friend! 🙂
I have never heard of these before, but they lol so fun to make. I love discovering and making desserts I’ve never tried before. Lovely!
They are quite yummy! Thank you, my dear! 🙂
These delicate, sweet, delicious cookies are a favorite. I love pine nuts and in a dessert they add such richness and flavor.
So glad you did all the testing (and I’m sure your Hubby does too) for us. They look wonderful. Pinned and on my holiday cookie list. Thanks!
They certainly do! For such a little thing they add so much! So happy you’ve added to your holiday cookie list – Thank you, my friend!
I love almond paste in cookies and add in pignoli nuts and I’m sold. Dom is right – these are little treasures! Pinning – Thanks, Annie!
They are! They so remind me of the holidays which makes them all the more special! Thanks, my dear!
This post makes me so happy! I love pignoli cookies. My mom is famous for hers, but I don’t think she’s going to let me publish her recipe on my blog, lol! For kids wbo don’t like pine nuts, she does some without them and puts a maraschino cherry in the middle of the cookie.
Oh yes…of course – Dom loves the maraschino cherry version as well, come to think of – there isn’t an almond cookie he doesn’t like! Thrilled that this post made you happy! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
I’m so glad you got over your fear, because they look perfect, Annie! I’m with Dom, any cookies with almonds or almond paste totally steal the show for me. I think you absolutely did these cookies justice, they look so delicious!
Hahha! It was about time! Thank you so much, Kelly! I appreciate your kind words! 🙂
I totally agree with you about the pressure that goes along with classic dishes, but I always think you do the classics so well, but even better with a little spin on them here and there!
You are so sweet, Kari! Thank you so much for stopping in and commenting on so many posts today! When I opened my mailbox it literally felt like Christmas with a whole slew of cards arriving on the same day! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! 🙂
I love pine nuts, especially when they are just slightly toasted. I’ve never thought about adding the to a cookie! I think I’d love these!
Oh yes…slightly toasted is a lovely way to go! Thanks, dear!
Hi! Do you toast the pine nuts before hand? Or do they get kind of toasted while baking the cookies? Great recipe! Thanks!
I do a quick toast on the stovetop before incorporating them into the batter. Thanks for your question! 🙂
It’s about time! I love it! It’s awesome when you get to old to be scared of the pignoli! These cookies look delicious and your photos are beautiful! Love you man’s comment too! 🙂
Hahahaah! Yes! To all of it! Thanks so much, my dear! Happy Weekend! 🙂
You nailed it!!!
Of course these little gems are all gone now!!!
Thanks Beauty!!!
Love you!!!
Hahahaha! See – aren’t you glad I made you take them! Loved to finally make you your pignoli cookies, my love! Love you! 🙂
I’m going to gird my loins and take up the challenge — to myself. I haven’t made these and by golly I AM going to do it. I think my biggest obstacle has been my Honey — I really can’t say he is a tight wad but he really balks at the price of pine nuts. You see, I substituted sunflower seeds so maybe I could just hint around that I’m purchasing sunflower seeds and then NOT 😉 So this is between you and me hehhehheh! Those cookies are on the roster for the holidays! Thank you for all the trials and errors you had to go through before posting. Buona giornata!
Your secret’s good with me! Besides, I’m sure once he takes that first bite he’ll forget all about the pretty penny you doled out to make them! This is music to my ears, Marisa! Thanks, dear! 🙂
You can substitute sliced almonds for the pine nuts! I buy my pine nuts in Costco and keep them in the freezer! They keep for a long time, plus I make these all the time!?
We love them with sliced almonds, as well! Thanks for the helpful tips! 🙂
Only 7 ingredients?! That’s wickedly awesome- pinning 🙂
Yep! 7 ingredients! Thanks for the pin, Medha! 🙂
These cookies are lovely, Annie! I could go for a couple right now.
Thanks, Jen! A perfect complement to tea and coffee! 🙂
Awww, these cookies look absolutely adorable and full of yumminess. I have never made pignoli cookies before. I think it’s the time! Happy weekend my friend. 🙂
So full of yumminess! Thanks so much, my friend! Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
I saw your post on FB and was so happy! I love these cookies and I have never made them myself! So this is clearly a sign! I can smell the almond past cooking already! Thank you Annie!
Definitely a sign! Yay! Oh yessss, that almond paste is pretty special! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
I love pignoli cookies but have never made them. Will have to try your recipe next time I buy some pine nuts!
I love that…thank you dear! Enjoy!
Yay! I saw these babies on your IG and I was wondering when they would make an appearance! So glad today is the day, what a wonderful way to celebrate it being Friday! I happen to love pine nuts (I don’t love their price tag though), and I have NEVER attempted to make pignolis! Mostly fear and lack of a great recipe. I’m so excited you shared these, because I can’t wait to make them, Annie! I’d ask you to send some my way, but I’m sure Dom won’t be having any of that nonsense! 😉 Pinned! Cheers to a beautiful weekend, my friend!! Xo
You know…they are making my Friday better…you’re right! I’d love to know how it goes if you try them! And I’ll be very happy to send you some…Dom’ll share…ummmmm, yeah, he’ll share. Ha! Thanks, pal! xo 🙂
I’m so glad you got over your fear! These cookies look absolutely gorgeous!
I’m glad too! Enough already! Thanks, friend!
I don’t know how I’ve never made pignoli cookies before, but I absolutely love the way these look!
Well thank you so much, Sues! Hopefully you’ll have the chance to make them! 🙂
What a pretty cookie! Sounds like this would make my coffee breaks a lot better!
Oh you betcha! Coffee’s never had it so good! Thanks, friend!