Description
Sicilian pignoli cookies bring Mediterranean charm to classic Italian desserts, blending almond paste and pine nuts into delicate sweet bites. Pine-studded pastries melt deliciously on palates, offering you a perfect balance of nutty richness and delicate texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 7 ounces (198g) almond paste
- 1 cup (140g) pine nuts
- 1 large egg white
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
- Combine almond paste, sugar, egg white, and salt in a food processor, blending until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency. Pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl midway through mixing.
- Portion the dough into 12 equal rounds, each weighing approximately 25 grams. If the mixture feels too soft or sticky, refrigerate briefly to firm up.
- Gently roll each dough ball in pine nuts, applying light pressure to ensure the nuts adhere completely to the surface.
- Arrange the nut-covered dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them roughly 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake for 18 minutes, watching for golden edges and toasted pine nuts as indicators of doneness.
- Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool entirely on the baking sheet, which helps them set and develop a delicate, crisp texture before serving.
Notes
- Chill Dough Quickly pop the dough in the freezer for 5-10 minutes if it feels too soft or sticky, ensuring clean and easy cookie shaping.
- Pine Nut Precision Toast pine nuts lightly before rolling to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
- Gluten-Free Friendly These cookies are naturally gluten-free, making them perfect for those with wheat sensitivities or celiac diets.
- Storage Hack Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 152
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg