Go Back
+ servings
Angled view of baked Italian pignoli cookies on a baking sheet covered with white parchment paper. One cookie has a bite taken out.

Easy Italian Pignoli Cookies

These easy Italian pignoli cookies make their way to my Christmas and Easter table each year. They are a huge hit with my family and no Christmas dessert table is complete without them. With just four ingredients, these cookies are a breeze to make. I love to dust them with powdered sugar after they have cooled.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 17 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 32 cookies

Equipment

  • Stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb almond paste not marzipan
  • cup granulated sugar
  • 4 extra large egg whites slightly beaten
  • 8 oz pignoli (pine) nuts
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2- 3 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • Place the almond paste in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat for a few minutes on low/stir to smooth it out. Do not overbeat or it will become dry.
  • Add sugar, and the slightly beaten egg whites and beat on medium speed for about 5 minutes, or until creamy.
  • Let batter rest about 5 minutes.
  • Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the lined cookies sheets, about 1 inch apart. place about 8-10 pine nuts on each cookie, lightly pressing them into the cookies.
  • Bake 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, rotate pans, and cook an additional 5-7 minutes. Cookies should be golden brown on bottom and at the edges, but still lightly colored on top. Do not over or under bake.
  • Cool completely in the pans. Remove with a thin flexible spatula. Once completely cooled, sprinkle powdered sugar on them. Cookies can be stored in  an airtight container for up to 1 week.

*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.

Have you tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag @brunchandbatter or hashtag it with #brunchandbatter