If you haven’t figured it out by now, I love all things Italian. I grew up within a bike ride of an Italian bakery. I went there often in my youth! Cakes, cookies, cannoli and biscotti were some of the sweeter offerings. They also had homemade breads, pizza by the slice and, in the summer months, Italian ice. Delizioso!
Nowadays, it takes me close to an hour to reach that bakery. I still make the pilgrimage at least a few times a year. To sooth the cravings in between trips, I’ve managed to replicate a couple of the recipes. I make a lemon ricotta cookie very similar to the one offered at the bakery. And now, I can say I’ve mastered the pignoli cookie, too… Yay for me!
Baking wise, this is one of the easiest cookies to make. All you need is the right equipment… a food processor and an electric mixer. There is only 4 ingredients… yep… 4! Almond paste, granulated sugar, egg whites and pignoli. Like I said, easy.
The last day or so has been a baking bonanza. I’m getting some gift boxes of baked goods ready for delivery. This cookie will be included, as long as I can stay away from them! I’ve set some aside to take to this week’s Fiesta Friday celebration. I’m bringing extra, just for Angie, because she’s been such a gracious host! This week’s co-hosts are Indu @Indu’s International Kitchen and Jhuls @The Not So Creative Cook. Take some time this weekend to pop on over to The Novice Gardener’s to witness what everyone is sharing. I bet there is a recipe (or two or twelve) that would be perfect for your holiday gathering.
Pignoli Cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 pound (8 ounce can) almond paste
1 cup granulated sugar
2 egg whites
1/4 cup pignoli
Directions:
- Line a baking sheet(s) with parchment paper; set aside. Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Use a food processor, fitted with a metal blade, to break the almond paste into a granulated form. Gradually add the sugar through the feeder tube, and process until well incorporated. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff (like a meringue); about 6-8 minutes depending on your mixer’s power.
- Fold the almond paste/sugar mixer into the egg whites, using a wooden spoon (not the mixer). Stir until meringue is fully mixed with the sugar mixer.
- Drop mixture, by the spoonful, onto parchment lined baking sheet(s). Press pignoli into the top of each cookie. Make sure they are “imbedded” in the dough. Cover the top of the cookies well. The cookies will expand, separating the pignoli.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Cool completely on wire racks before storing in an airtight container.
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Hello Nancy! Cookies look so good and wintery! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Thank you… they are good cookies indeed! Happy weekend to you, too!
I can only imagine the smells coming from that bakery! What an intriguing cookie you have here!
Miss you dear Nancy!
LORI!! 😀 How wonderful to see your smiling face! I was going to email you in the next day or so (I still will). I hope all is well… I can’t express my joy in having received a visit from you. Thank you. xxx
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas Nancy! I have really missed you! Big Hugs!!
These look wonderful Nancy! I love pine nuts in everything and can just imagine how delicious these must be! Have a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Selma! For so few ingredients, these cookies pack in a lot of flavor. Merry Christmas to you, as well!
Yes to Italian food Nancy – always! My sister married an Italian and she makes a lot of Italian dishes but I do not think she makes these. Maybe I will surprise her this Christmas and make them and see what she says. Thanks for a great recipe with just a few ingredients. Love pine nuts on greens along with blue cheese and a good dressing 🙂
Thank you, Judi! I’ve come to the conclusion I love pinenuts on everything… or even nothing… I’ll eat them raw! 🙂 This is a super easy cookie to make, I hope you find time to give it a go!
Yay for you, Nancy. There’s nothing better than to have the chance to replicate your favorite treats from one of your favorite bakeries. These really look awesome!! Thanks for sharing these at FF! 🙂
Thanks, Jhuls. 🙂 I was quite pleased with myself… and it’s always my pleasure to share with the FF group!
They look delicious Nancy 😋I almost thought there was coconut in them.
Thank you, skd! They’re yummy little morsels… and nope… no coconut. I bet it’s the baked meringue that fooled you. 🙂
I have never heArd of these cookies. But they sure look delicious.
Thank you, they’re a typical offering at the many Italian bakeries in my area, Sadia. One bite… and you’ll be begging for more. 🙂
Ive never heard of pignoli but mmm these look good 🙂 i love pinenuts
If you love pinenuts, Justine… you’ll ❤ these pignoli cookies!
I think i have the ingredients yay
Yippee!!!
😀
They look gorgeous and delicious, Nancy 🙂
Thanks, Linda… they are delish indeed!
I love cookies that are not chocolate–these look light and lovely and delightful 🙂
Me too, Liz. (Though I do make my fair share of chocolate ones, too!) These are almost too light… causing a “why not have one more attitude”! Oops… 😉
What have we got here, Nancy? I love it, pine-nuts on a almond/meringue cookies! Brilliant! 😛
Hah… It’s a match made in cookie heaven! 😀
We love italian food to. These cookies came out perfectly!
🙂 Italian food is the best! Thanks, Julie!
Your cookies look absolutely delicious, I love pine nuts, where do you buy your almond paste?
Thank you, Lily! Any large grocery store (Meijer or Kroger, for me) should sell almond paste. I also buy it at my local Italian Market. It’s normally located in the “baking aisle”, near pie filling and canned milk. Good luck locating a can. 🙂
Thanks Nancy, I’m definitely going to try your recipe, happy holidays:)
I hope you have success in acquiring the paste and enjoy the resulting cookies!
Few ingredients and a super cookie.
It certainly doesn’t get much simpler than a 4-ingredient cookie… Thank you, Sonal!
Totally agree !
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My, you’ve been busy haven’t you Nancy? Love pine nuts, and have never tried adding them to cookies.
Busy, indeed… but at least baking is a “fun busy”! The pinenuts offer a nice balance to the sweet cookie. 🙂
A favorite! 🙂
Mine too, Ronit! 😛
Wow wow love love it… pinenuts in cookies sounds super luscious Nancy… 🙂
Pinenuts are a great addition to sweet offerings, Chitra! Thank you so much for visiting!
Hi Nancy, these are my husbands favorite cookies, Happy Holidays!
I think they’re right at the top of my favorites, too! Thanks, Cheri… and Happy Holidays to you as well. 🙂