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You are here: Home / Recipe Categories / Desserts / Cookies / Italian Pignoli Cookie

Italian Pignoli Cookie

10 Decby Amy46

Prep Time: 10m
|
Total Time: 30m
|
Vegetarian

Italian Pignoli Cookie are an Italian Sicilian classic cookie recipe. Similar to a macaroon. A crispy chewy and almond-y cookie, that is sure to become a family favorite, if it isn’t already.

Italian Pignoli Cookie is an italian sicilian classic cookie recipe that is similar to a macroon crispy chewy and almondy cookie | ahealthylifeforme.com

Christmas Cookie all about Italian Holidays.

The holidays are all about Family, Love, Faith and Presents.  

This week I will share a bit of our family and the holiday cookies they love.  I will have faith that you will love the recipes as much as we do and for the present part I am doing a Baking Bonanza Giveaway all week! (details below)

My husband was raised by an Italian mother. His paternal grandfather ran an Italian grocery store.  

He likes all things Italian, especially the food.  He has very fond memories of his mothers cooking when he was a little boy and still asks for her to make her artichokes for him when we visit, the man loves them.  

He also fondly talks of all the times he would work in his grandfathers grocery store or help him in his garden.

Jim at the age of 4, he is so darn cute!

Jim and his mother, Carmen at her 80th birthday party!

The perfect Christmas Cookie.

Of course his favorite Christmas Cookie is the Italian Pignoli.  

A chewy almond goodie topped with Pine Nuts (Pignoli in Italian).

I love the guy so darn much I always am sure to make a batch up for him.  

These seem to be the first ones to disappear off the cookie plate during the holidays, so make sure you treat the ones you love with a taste of these little Italian Biscotti.

If you are a fan of Italian cookies check out my recipe for Anisette Cookies.

Italian Pignoli Cookie is an italian sicilian classic cookie recipe that is similar to a macroon crispy chewy and almondy cookie | ahealthylifeforme.com

 
 
Print

Italian Pignoli Cookies

Italian Pignoli Cookies are an italian sicilian classic cookie recipe. Similar to a macroons, crispy chewy and almondy cookie
Course Dessert
Keyword Christmas, Cookie, Italian, Pignoli
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces pignoli pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Dash salt
  • 1 8- ounce can almond paste
  • 2 egg whites slightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
  • Confectioner's sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°. Line 2 cookie sheets with Silpat liners or parchment.
  2. Place pine nuts "pignoli" in a shallow dish.
  3. Combine granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar, flour and salt in a medium bowl and lightly toss.
  4. Place almond paste in a mixing bowl of an electric mixer and mix to break up.
  5. Add beaten egg whites and mix on low speed until smooth.
  6. Add almond extract and flour mixture and beat until flour is blended in, about 30 seconds. Do not over beat.
  7. Using a teaspoon or a scooper, scoop up a rounded spoon of dough and push dough side into the pine nuts so that they stick to dough. Ease dough out of scoop so that pine nuts are facing up on baking sheet.
  8. Place 2" apart and re-apply any loose nuts.
  9. Bake cookies for about 25 minutes. Use the shorter baking time if you like soft cookies; the longer baking time if you like them chewy.
  10. Cool 1 minute and remove to a rack to cool completely.
  11. Dust with confectioners' sugar.
 
3.3.3077
 
 Italian Pignoli Cookie Recipe | ahealthylifeforme.comItalian Pignoli Cookie is an italian Sicilian classic cookie recipe that is similar to a macaroon crispy chewy and almondy cookie. Sure to become a family favorite if it isn’t already | ahealthylifeforme.com
3.1.09

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Under: Cookies, Desserts, Winter 46 Comments

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Comments

  1. nicole willingham says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:28 am

    Big Daddy is the best!! Thanks for the sweet pics and family recipe 🙂

    Reply
  2. Jessie C. says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:53 am

    I like gingerbread cookies.

    Reply
  3. Elena says

    December 10, 2012 at 11:12 am

    I like biscotti

    Reply
  4. Sarah O. says

    December 10, 2012 at 11:31 am

    Spritz cookies are the cutest.

    Reply
  5. Tiffany @thyme of taste says

    December 10, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    I will have to add these to my “holiday” baking recipes! Looks yummy!

    Reply
  6. Liz says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    Are you sure you’re supposed to put pignoli on a COOKIE?

    Reply
  7. Megan says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    I love sugar cookies made with Irish butter!

    Reply
  8. Alexa says

    December 11, 2012 at 12:34 am

    I love homemade turtles, the ones with pecans, caramel, and chocolate.

    Reply
  9. candace says

    December 11, 2012 at 11:36 am

    my favorite christmas cookies have to be sugar cookies with frosting!!

    Reply
  10. Andrea says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    I love to make biscotti :)I did like 4 batches already 🙂

    Reply
    • amy says

      December 11, 2012 at 4:40 pm

      Andrea,
      You sound as bad as me. When I get on a roll the cookies are being made!
      I love pistachio chocolate biscotti’s, but always struggle with the cutting for the second baking.
      Any tricks you can share?
      Amy

      Reply
      • Randy says

        December 11, 2017 at 6:15 pm

        FWIW, I use a Cutco serrated bread slicer. I assume the consistency of your first bake would be like that of the classic biscotti, the serrated knife tends to “saw” through the loaf nicely. The only problem I have is that the large pieces of hazelnut (or almonds if I go that route) tend to pull out of the cookie if I don’t cut very slowly.

        Reply
  11. Lori S H says

    December 11, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Wow! Those look so amazingly good. I can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
    • amy says

      December 12, 2012 at 6:34 pm

      Thanks Lori, let me know what ya think!

      Reply
  12. Megans Cookin says

    December 12, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    My favorite Christmas cookie is a decorated sugar cookie!!!

    Reply
    • amy says

      December 12, 2012 at 6:31 pm

      oh mine too Megan!

      Reply
  13. Greta says

    December 13, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    I love all kinds of christmas cookies!! To me christmas is sugar cookies wrapped like candy canes and mexican wedding cookies and peanut butter blossoms and my grandma’s homemade fudge to go along with!

    Reply
    • amy says

      December 13, 2012 at 3:46 pm

      Greta,
      You sound like my kinda girl. We could gorge on some cookies. I just got my moms homemade fudge recipe, I plan on making a batch to share this holiday!
      xo Amy

      Reply
  14. Tamra H says

    December 13, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    I’m pretty simple, a good chocolate chip cookie is my favorite!

    Reply
  15. manda kay says

    December 14, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    I like sugar cookies.

    Reply
  16. Aneesa says

    December 15, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    I love a classic chewy chocolate chip cookie!

    Reply
  17. Jamie Brigham says

    December 15, 2012 at 11:49 pm

    I love SnickerDoodle cookies and sugar cookies shapes with sprinkles on them.

    Reply
  18. Karin Mari says

    December 19, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    This recipe is easy and fairly quick. I loved how these cookies came out and have added them to my Christmas cookie list. Thank you for such a great pignoli cookie recipe!

    Reply
    • amy says

      December 19, 2012 at 9:13 pm

      Wow Kari, Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know that you added them to your cookie list. Makes me smile.
      xo Amy

      Reply
  19. Kathie says

    July 11, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    Amy….I live in Toronto, and I have searched high & low & back and forth for Pignoli cookies, without finding a crumb. My father is from Staten Island, NY and everytime we would visit the family, I stopped at the corner bakery and got me some Pignoli Cookies on the way in, during and on the way home from our visit. I tried a couple of recipes, but none were close to the texture of the one’s from the Staten Island bakery. I am going home to try your recipe tonight. I am soooooo excited. I’ll keep you posted!

    Reply
    • Amy Stafford says

      July 14, 2013 at 6:53 pm

      Kathie,
      Hope you loved them. It is one of my all time favorite cookies!
      xo Amy

      Reply
  20. Dorit says

    January 12, 2014 at 9:14 am

    I made the Pignoli cookies and they are awesome. I got compliments from friends that said the Pignoli cookies they bought in NY from an Italian bakery are not as good as mine. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  21. Melissa says

    December 1, 2015 at 7:50 am

    I have so many fond memories of these Pignoli cookies and my Italian heritage. I absolutely love them. This recipe looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 1, 2015 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks Melissa.

      Reply
  22. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says

    December 1, 2015 at 7:52 am

    Italian cookies are always such a lovely addition to a cookie platter! I love the use of pine nuts and almond paste here – I bet they’re delicious!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 1, 2015 at 9:06 pm

      They reall yare Faith, I hope you give them a try.

      Reply
  23. Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says

    December 1, 2015 at 9:05 am

    I never turn down another cookie recipe! I love how easy these look, and they are something I have never had before. I bet you have had some of the best Italian food!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 1, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      Yep my mother n law knows how to throw out some great food! We always look forward to sitting at her table.

      Reply
  24. Joanie @ Zagleft says

    December 1, 2015 at 9:18 am

    I love pignolis but have never made them myself. I grew up with an Italian grandmother who loved to cook and bake and can completely relate to the cooking memories. Such a great recipe, Amy. I’m looking forward to trying it.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 1, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      They are super simple to make Joanie, I hope you give them a try.

      Reply
  25. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says

    December 1, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    I’ve seen these cookies at the bakery before but I never knew what they tasted like. I had no idea they were almond!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 1, 2015 at 9:03 pm

      They are really great Lauren, you will love them.

      Reply
  26. Nancy [email protected] says

    December 2, 2015 at 11:17 am

    I need to asked my hubby if he is familiar with these! He’s from the north of Italy and I love making him Italian treats!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 2, 2015 at 5:28 pm

      Let me know what he thinks, I think I love every Italian pastry my mother n law has ever placed in front of me. I should have been born in Italy!

      Reply
  27. Cookin Canuck says

    December 2, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    It sounds as though your husband has so many good memories of time with his grandparents. I adore pignoli and can imagine how thrilled he was when you made these for him!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 2, 2015 at 5:32 pm

      It is pretty amaziing how we associate food with our memories. My hubby was pretty darn happy when I baked up a batch of these for him.

      Reply
  28. patti says

    January 9, 2017 at 3:50 am

    i have tried a few recipes for pignoli cookies but this is the best…the cookies are so delicious. they taste and look like i bought them in a bakery. thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      January 9, 2017 at 8:48 am

      Thank you so much Patti. I definitely tried to get the recipe as close to the store bought kind as I could, so your compliment means a lot!

      Reply
  29. Lucille says

    February 5, 2017 at 9:06 am

    I have a recipe that I have been using for years but I’d like to try yours since it incorporates confectioners sugar and flour which my recipe doesn’t use. A little trick I have used to make the dough more manageable is to put the bowl with the dough right into the freezer for about 30 minutes before you spoon them out. You’ll find that they aren’t as sticky, and if your hands do start to get a little bit sticky, just dip your hand into a little water then form the dough into a ball and dip into the Pignoli nuts. Works great.

    Reply
  30. Nick DeStefano says

    January 21, 2019 at 5:03 pm

    I was raised in Brooklyn NY and hve loved pignoli since very, very young . Now 79 and found your recipe…..
    Going to try it…sounds like I WILL like them…Maybe help sis in law some dough so shee doesnt have to send me any on birthday /anniversery, easter and Christmas..HA. thanks By the way ,I am first generation Italian Sicilian…My Dad came from Catania right near Etna what stories…….

    Reply
  31. march says

    January 25, 2019 at 4:17 am

    First recipe I tried for this type of cookie, I rarely bake. The directions were easy, I found parchment paper worked much better than silpat. It also took a few extra minutes in the oven than specified, but they came out perfect and tasted great!

    Reply

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Hi, I am Amy, food photographer, recipe developer, food lover, organic garden maven, fitness nut and lover of Airedales. Please stay a while and explore. More >>

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