These Italian Pignoli cookies are the ideal cookie for Christmas. A simple cookie made of almond paste mixed with sugar and egg white and coated in pine nuts. Italian Pignoli cookies are chewy on day one and two but slowly progress to dry out and develop a crunch.
Italian Pignoli cookie recipe
Just like the Hazelnut Christmas cookies the Krumkake I made last year for Christmas this recipe is adapted from A Baker’s Odyssey by Greg Patent. Because Italian Pignoli cookies are so easy to make with store bought almond paste these can be whipped up quickly. However Greg Patent supplied a recipe for Homemade Almond Paste which I have adapted. These cookies are made with my Homemade Almond Paste. If you use store bought, please be sure to buy a good quality that contains more almonds than sugar. With differences in qualities of Almond Paste your cookies may flatten more than mine or have a slight different texture. Be sure to check the notes in the recipe.
Covered in pine nuts these cookies have an almost savoury note which is really quite addictive. Italian Pignoli cookies really deserve a place in your Christmas baking. Besides their deliciousness what I love most of all is that the dough can be prepared a day or two ahead of time and the finished cookies can be frozen for a month.
Have you started your Christmas baking? Or are you a last minute sort of baker? What a wonderful time of the year for bakers, don’t you think?
Blessings to you,
Marcellina xx
A simple but delicious Southern Italian Cookie of almond paste coated with pine nuts.
- 250 grams (8oz) almond paste homemade or store bought
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large egg whites
- 2-3 cups pine nuts as needed
- 350 grams (2 1/2 cups) ground almonds
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 egg white
- Break up almond paste with fingers into small pieces. Pulse in the food processor until sandy texture. Add sugar and continue to pulse until well combined. With processor running add egg whites slowly through the chute until the mixture forms a thick dough. It shouldn't be runny so you may not use all the egg white.
- Remove mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
- The next day, preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line two baking trays with non stick paper.
- Place the pine nuts into a flat bowl.
- Drop teaspoonful of mixture into the pinenuts and toss well to coat. Pressing in pine nuts and shaping into a ball.
- Place balls onto baking tray leaving a bit of room for spreading.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating trays to ensure even browning.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for a couple of minutes until the cookies are firm. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in airtight container.
Place almond meal into the bowl of food processor
Put sugar and water into a small saucepan. Don't stir just swirl over medium heat to make sure the sugar has dissolved.
Bring to boil. Cover the pan and cook for exactly 3 minutes.
Uncover the pan, swirl two or three times
Check the temperature of the syrup with a sugar thermometer. You need the syrup to reach 115C/240F. It should be close to the temperature.
Keep monitoring until the syrup is ready
Start the food processor and add the hot syrup through the chute in a steady stream. It should take around 10 seconds.
Continue to process for a minute or two.
Add the egg white through the chute with the motor running. Allow to combine well.
Remove almond paste from food processor bowl and onto work surface. Knead for 2 or 3 minutes until smooth. Flatten into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least a day to allow the flavours to develop.
- Allow extra time for resting or prepare the day ahead
- If using store bought almond paste be sure to buy quality paste that has a high almond content.
- These cookies are made with homemade almond paste. Cookies made with store bought almond paste may vary.
- If preparing homemade Almond paste allow for overnight resting or almond past can be made a 2 or 3 weeks in advance
- These cookies are best fresh but I liked how they matured over a few days turning from soft to almost dry and crunchy.
- However the cookies can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw them in their wrapping
Thank you for sharing a delicious looking recipe.They look really different and so delicious.
Your welcome, Pauline!These are really yum and perfect for Christmas. Merry Christmas
Oh my, almonds and pine nuts together in one tasty cookie! Irresistible!
Ronit, these are really quite good!
Terrific post! I love these cookies, but have never made them. I should try your recipe — so nice and clear. Thanks!
I have only ever made these and never tasted other versions. I’d love to hear how this recipe compares with what you have tried!
These look amazing! They’re now on my list as I’m really intrigued by the flavour of these. Could I add some orange zest or spices do you think? 🙂
i think you will like these cookies, Lorraine! Yes, why not, a little pinch of cinnamon or some orange or lemon rind would be quite lovely! If you make them, let me know how the additions go.
This looks SO GOOD!!! I’ve been looking for new Holiday cookies this year and those are totally on my to do list!! Thanks so much for sharing! What gorgeous photography too!
Using good quality almond paste these are super easy and yum and a great addition to the Holiday baking! And thank you for your kind words!
Lovely. Another childhood favorite! I’ve never attempted to make them at home, but the recipe doesn’t sound too difficult. May give it a try this holiday season.
Yes, these Pignoli are easy with store bought almond paste. I know you will love them!