Description
Delectable pignoli cookies showcase Sicilian culinary magic with pine nuts and almond paste. Simple ingredients create a delightful Mediterranean treat that connects you to authentic Italian baking traditions.
Ingredients
- 1 (7 oz / 200 g) package almond paste
- 1 cup (120 g) pine nuts
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
- ½ tsp almond extract
Instructions
- Prep Environment: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for optimal baking conditions.
- Dough Formation: Crumble almond paste in a large mixing bowl, then blend with granulated and powdered sugars using an electric mixer until a uniform, coarse texture develops.
- Moisture Integration: Gradually add egg whites and almond extract, continuing to mix until a smooth, slightly tacky dough forms with consistent composition.
- Coating Technique: Moisten hands slightly and shape dough into small, uniform balls. Gently roll each ball through pine nuts, ensuring complete and even exterior coverage.
- Baking Process: Arrange pine nut-coated dough spheres on prepared baking sheet, spacing them two inches apart. Bake for 15-18 minutes until cookies turn soft golden and pine nuts achieve a light toast.
- Cooling Strategy: Rest cookies on baking sheet for five minutes to stabilize structure, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Store in airtight container for up to five days or serve immediately for peak flavor and texture.
Notes
Manage Moisture Carefully: Control egg white addition to prevent overly wet dough, which can cause spreading and loss of cookie structure during baking.
Pine Nut Precision: Press pine nuts gently but firmly into dough surface to ensure maximum adherence and prevent nut loss during baking process.
Temperature Sensitivity: Watch cookies closely during final baking minutes to avoid over-browning, as their delicate almond paste base can quickly transition from golden to burnt.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional almond paste with alternative gluten-free almond paste or homemade almond flour mixture for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets, maintaining original recipe’s rich nutty flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 19
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg