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Delicious homemade Pignoli cookies with pine nuts on top.

Homemade Pignoli Cookies

Delightful Italian-inspired cookies made with almond flour and coated in pine nuts, offering a chewy texture with a slightly crispy outer layer.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups almond flour Use fresh for best flavor.
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup pine nuts (pignoli), for coating Adds wonderful crunch and flavor.
  • optional powdered sugar, for dusting For added sweetness before serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
  2. Add the egg whites, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Stir until everything comes together into a thick, sticky dough.
  3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes.
Baking
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Scoop out roughly 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie and roll gently into a ball.
  3. Press each ball into the pine nuts, coating the outside generously.
  4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
  5. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure the dough chills for the full 30 minutes and do not skip coating in pine nuts. Optional chocolate chips or dried fruit can be added for variations.