{"id":16333,"date":"2013-12-18T08:15:25","date_gmt":"2013-12-18T14:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=16333"},"modified":"2013-12-18T08:16:50","modified_gmt":"2013-12-18T14:16:50","slug":"pignoli-cookies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2013\/12\/18\/pignoli-cookies\/","title":{"rendered":"Pignoli Cookies"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the ways I like to mix up the variety of baked goodies included on a cookie platter is to include some cookies traditionally made in other countries.\u00a0 Spritz<\/em> <\/strong>cookies from the Scandanavian region, and Pfefferneuse<\/em><\/strong> from Germany, and French Madelines<\/em><\/strong> are among the varieties that we enjoy!\u00a0 But the following cookies are a must-have!<\/p>\n

Pignoli<\/span> <\/strong>(pronounce it peen-yO-lee<\/i>) cookies…a traditional Italian cookie. Their name comes from the delicious tiny pine nuts that are the outer layer of these yummy cookies.\u00a0 Have you ever had one?\u00a0 They are very decadent\u00a0 with a softish, creamy almond paste middle and a slightly crunchy exterior surrounded by those delectable pine nuts. And these are very easy to put together. They are a tiny mouthful and so cute with all those toasted pine nuts on the outside. I think that they are a must for our cookie platter!\u00a0 Be sure to hide a couple away for yourself!\u00a0 They disappear quickly!<\/p>\n

\"2013-12-18<\/a><\/p>\n

These little morsels have a pronounced almond flavor that comes from the hit of almond three ways: the almond paste, almond extract, and almond flour. They are gluten free, grain free, dairy free but not sugar free!\u00a0\u00a0You can bake them\u00a0to be just a little on the softer side, so that just the outsides are crisp and the insides are super soft and moist; or, the way my husband, Robert, likes them—a little crispier and chewier by baking just 2-3 minutes longer.\u00a0 Just keep an eye on them…the pine nuts can burn…you DEFINITELY do not want that!\u00a0\u00a0 Enjoy!<\/p>\n

Pignoli<\/span> Cookies<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ingredients:
\n1 can almond paste\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0*** \"2013-12-17<\/a>
\n1\/4 cup granulated sugar
\n1\/8 teaspoon salt
\n1\/2 teaspoon almond extract
\n1\/2 teaspooon vanilla extract
\n1\/2 cup blanched almond flour
\n1 extra-large egg white, lightly beaten
\n6 ounces pine nuts
\nconfectioners (powdered) sugar, optional<\/p>\n

*** be sure to purchase almond paste<\/span><\/em><\/strong> not pie filling<\/p>\n

Directions:<\/p>\n