My Italian Pignoli Cookies are a timeless favorite, perfect for holiday cookie trays or any special occasion. These classic Italian pine nut cookies feature a soft, chewy center with a crisp, golden brown exterior, thanks to their coating of crunchy pine nuts.Whether you’re serving them at Christmas or as a sweet treat for family gatherings, these cookies are guaranteed to impress!
What are Pignoli Cookies?
Pignoli cookies are traditional Italian almond paste cookies that are coated with crunchy pine nuts (pignoli in Italian) and baked until golden brown. These cookies are known for their soft, chewy centers and slightly crisp exteriors, making them a favorite in Italian bakeries and homes.
The main ingredients include almond paste, sugar, egg whites, and, of course, pine nuts, which give them a rich almond flavor and a nutty finish. They're naturally gluten-free due to the absence of flour and are especially popular during the holidays or as a special occasion sweet treat. With their simple ingredients and airy texture, they’re often considered one of the best examples of authentic Italian pine nut cookies. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or making them for the first time, these cookies are easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser!
Looking for more? Try my Sicilian Pignolata, Biscoff Tiramisu, Cuccidati, Baked Figs, and Sicilian Christmas Cookies.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- A Chewy, Nutty Delight: Pignoli cookies boast a soft, chewy texture complemented by a crunchy pine nut coating, creating a balance of textures that’s simply irresistible.
- Rich, Almond Flavor: Made with almond paste and just a few simple ingredients, these cookies deliver an intense almond flavor reminiscent of treats from a traditional Italian bakery.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you're adding them to a holiday cookie tray, serving them at a family gathering, or enjoying them as a sweet treat with coffee, these cookies shine as a versatile and crowd-pleasing favorite.
🥘 Ingredients
- Almond Paste: The heart of this recipe, almond paste provides the rich almond flavor and chewy texture that make these Italian pignoli cookies so special. I recommend using a high-quality brand like Odense almond paste for the best results.
- Sugar: White sugar sweetens the dough and balances the intense almond flavor. It also helps achieve the perfect consistency when combined with the almond paste.
- Egg Whites: Large egg whites are used to bind the dough.
- Confectioners' Sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness while creating a smooth and easy-to-shape dough. It also prevents the cookies from being overly dense.
- Pine Nuts: Crunchy pine nuts, or pignoli, give these cookies their signature nutty flavor and golden brown exterior. Generously coat each dough ball for the ultimate nutty topping.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine almond paste and sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed, beat the mixture until crumbly and well combined.
Add Egg Whites: Beat in 2 large egg whites until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, mixing until the dough forms a cohesive texture.
Set Up Coating Station: Place the pine nuts in a separate shallow bowl for easy coating.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. If the dough is sticky, lightly dust your hands with confectioners' sugar to make it easier to handle.
Coat the Cookies: Roll the cookie in pine nuts, pressing gently to adhere the nuts evenly.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the cookies 2 inches apart and gently flatten them with your fingers. Bake for 14-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
Cool and Store: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before transferring them to a cooling rack. Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- Use high-quality almond paste: The almond paste is the star of this recipe, so opt for a trusted brand like Odense for the best results. If you prefer, you can even use homemade almond paste to enhance the rich almond flavor.
- Chill the dough for easy handling: If the dough feels too sticky when shaping into balls, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes. This makes it easier to roll and ensures perfectly shaped cookies.
- Generously coat with pine nuts: Don’t skimp on the pine nuts! A thick coating not only creates the signature look but also adds a delicious crunch and nutty flavor to every bite.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Almond Paste Substitute: If you don’t have almond paste, you can make your own by blending almond flour, powdered sugar, egg whites, and almond extract until smooth.
Less Sweet Version: Reduce the sugar slightly for a more subtle sweetness without compromising the chewy texture.
Nut Variation: Try coating the cookies with chopped pistachios or hazelnuts for a twist on the traditional recipe.
Citrus Flavor: Add a touch of lemon zest or orange zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy note that complements the almond flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: These cookies are naturally gluten-free as written, but always check your almond paste and pine nuts to ensure they’re certified gluten-free if needed.
💭 Recipe FAQs
You can absolutely use store-bought almond paste for this recipe, and brands like Odense work perfectly. However, if you want to elevate the flavor, making your own almond paste is a great option. Homemade almond paste often has a fresher, more intense almond flavor, which can take these cookies to the next level. Just ensure that whether it’s store-bought or homemade, the paste is at room temperature and broken into small pieces for smooth mixing.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Use parchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freeze: Place cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
🌿 Related Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Pignoli Cookies
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Equipment
- Stand mixer or mixing bowl with hand mixer
- Parchment paper
- Baking tray
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Shallow bowl (for pine nuts)
- Wire rack (for cooling)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs almond paste
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 4 egg whites
- 1 lb pignoli pine nuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line your baking tray with parchment paper.
- Make the dough: Add 1 ½ lbs almond paste, 1 ½ cups sugar, 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, and 4 egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl if you prefer to mix by hand. Mix the ingredients together until they form a sticky dough.
- Form the cookies: Scoop enough dough to shape an approximately 1″ ball of dough. Roll the dough ball in a bowl of pine nuts, gently pressing the pine nuts into the surface. Be careful not to overwork the dough so the pine nuts adhere properly. Repeat this process until all the dough is used and each ball is covered in pine nuts.
- Bake: Place the pine nut-coated dough balls on the prepared parchment-lined baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your delicious, chewy pignoli cookies!
🌡️ Food safety
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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