Description
Sweet Italian heritage shines through Pizzicati, delicate pinch cookies that whisper generations of family tradition. Buttery, crumbly, and elegantly simple, these cookies invite warmth and connection with each tender, lovingly crafted bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10 tablespoons (141 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup strawberry jam (or preferred flavor)
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Zest of 1 lemon
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Create a delicate blend of dry ingredients by whisking flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, and vibrant lemon zest in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Incorporate softened butter, fragrant vanilla, and a single egg into the dry mixture. Gradually blend on low speed, then accelerate until a smooth, cohesive dough emerges.
- Encase the dough completely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour to firm and enhance flavor development.
- Gently roll out the chilled dough to a delicate thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. Precisely cut circular shapes using a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter.
- Delicately place a small dollop of jam in the center of each cookie circle. Carefully pinch the sides together, allowing the ends to remain slightly open, creating a characteristic pinched shape.
- Arrange the shaped cookies on a prepared baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 12-14 minutes, watching for a golden-brown base that indicates perfect doneness.
- Transfer the baked cookies to a wire cooling rack. Once completely cooled, generously dust with a light layer of powdered sugar, creating an elegant, frost-like finish.
Notes
- Cold butter works best, so remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to soften perfectly.
- Choose thick, high-quality jam with low moisture to prevent soggy cookie centers during baking.
- Try different jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or fig for unique taste variations.
- Ensure even dough thickness by using rolling pin guide rings or rolling between parchment paper for consistent cookie size.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 96 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 37 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg