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–+ servings
Homemade Pignoli cookies with golden edges and pine nuts on top, served on a vintage floral plate.

Pignoli Cookies

5 from 1 vote
These classic Italian Pignoli Cookies are made with rich almond paste and coated in buttery pine nuts, yielding a chewy center with a lightly crisp exterior. A traditional treat perfect for the holidays or special occasions.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 140
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz Almond paste - Room temperature; not marzipan
  • ⅓ cup Granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup Confectioners' sugar
  • 2 Egg whites - From large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon Almond extract - Pure almond extract
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1½ cups Pine nuts - For coating
  • Optional Lemon zest - For citrus variation
  • Optional Powdered sugar - Light dusting after baking

Equipment

  • Baking sheets (Lined with parchment paper)
  • Electric mixer (For breaking down almond paste)
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Small bowl (For rolling pine nuts)
  • Cookie scoop (Optional, for uniform size)
  • Cooling rack
  • Airtight container (For storage)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Bring almond paste to room temperature. Break into small pieces in bowl.
  3. Beat almond paste until crumbly. Gradually mix in sugars and salt. Add almond extract and egg whites, beating until a sticky dough forms.
  4. With damp hands or cookie scoop, roll dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in pine nuts and place on baking sheets.
  5. Refrigerate cookies for 15 minutes before baking.
  6. Bake for 13–15 minutes until lightly golden and cracked. Cool on baking sheet, then transfer to rack.
  7. Store in airtight container. Improves in flavor over 24–48 hours.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 80mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 10IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

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