Pignoli Cookies (Pignolo) | Day 3 of 2022 Annual Christmas Cookie Marathon

Crack and separate two egg whites in a mixing bowl.

Beat the egg whites with a handheld electric mixer until thick and bubbly and the egg whites hold stiff peaks.

Cut seven ounces of almond paste into small discs and cut each disc into smaller pieces.

Add all the almond paste pieces to the beaten egg whites, pinching any large pieces of almond paste into smaller bits.

Keep beating until the almond paste is incorporated with the egg whites; this will take some time.

Add one cup of sugar to the mixture and beat again until the sugar is dissolved and the cookie batter is smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Spoon small tablespoon-sized mounds of the batter onto a parchment paper lined tray, leaving some space between each cookie as they will spread while baking.

Arrange a small cluster of pignoli nuts on top of each cookie, either sprinkling them all over or arranging them in a star shape.

Bake the pignoli cookies in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown.

Allow to cool completely on the tray before transferring the pignoli cookies to a separate platter to serve.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary