Homemade Pizzicati Recipe: Italian Pinch Cookies Made Simple

Delicate Italian pizzicati cookies dance with sweet nostalgia from my grandmother’s kitchen.

These tender morsels capture memories of childhood gatherings and warm afternoons.

Subtle almond notes weave through each delightful bite.

Crisp edges give way to soft, crumbly centers that melt instantly.

Simple ingredients come together in a magical transformation of flour, sugar, and butter.

Generations have cherished this traditional treat passed down through loving hands.

Bake these little gems and watch magic unfold on your plate.

Why Pizzicati Cookies Are a Timeless Treat

• Perfect for home bakers seeking a simple yet delightful Italian cookie recipe that doesn't require advanced pastry skills.
• Customize these cookies with your favorite jam flavors, from classic strawberry to exotic blueberry or apricot, making each batch unique and personal.
• Create delightful memories by involving kids in pinching the cookie edges and choosing their preferred jam, turning baking into a fun family activity.
• Requires basic pantry staples like butter, flour, eggs, and jam, ensuring you can whip up these delicious treats without a special grocery run.

What to Use in Italian Pinch Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for cookie texture and flavor.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create light, tender cookie structure.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute richness, moisture, and help bind the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.

• Flour: Essential for creating cookie structure and providing basic texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Milk: Helps adjust dough consistency for perfect texture.
• Jam: Provides sweet, fruity center and signature filling for cookies.

How to Make and Fold Pizzicati Like a Pro

Step 1: Cream Butter And Sugar

Use an electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until everything combines smoothly.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Salt

Add milk slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough becomes soft and manageable. Form the dough into a compact disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for half an hour.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Station

Warm the oven to 350°F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 4: Roll And Cut Dough

Sprinkle flour on your work surface. Roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to create circular shapes.

Step 5: Fill And Shape Cookies

Place a small dollop of jam in the center of each dough circle. Pinch two opposite sides together, forming a cute little pinched shape. Gently press edges to seal the jam inside.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each one. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.

Step 7: Cool And Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and savor these delightful Italian treats!

Simple Tips for Flaky Italian Cookies

• Choose Quality Jam: Select high-quality, thick fruit preserves to prevent leaking during baking and ensure a rich, concentrated flavor in each cookie.
• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Keep the dough refrigerated for the full 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain the delicate pinched shape during baking.
• Gentle Pinching Technique: Use light, careful finger pressure when sealing the cookie edges to create a neat, uniform pinched appearance without tearing the dough.
• Control Milk Addition: Add milk sparingly, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the perfect soft dough consistency without making it too wet or sticky.
• Precise Baking Time: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking to prevent over-browning, removing them when edges are just lightly golden for a tender texture.

How to Store Pizzicati and Keep Them Crisp

• Place cooled pizzicati in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Keep pizzicati in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their original crisp texture and enhance jam's softness.

What to Pair with Italian Pinch Cookies

• Select a light, fruity moscato or vin santo to complement the delicate jam-filled cookies, enhancing their sweet, buttery flavor profile.
• Serve these traditional Italian cookies alongside a rich, small espresso shot, allowing the robust coffee to balance the cookie's sweetness and provide a classic Italian dessert experience.
• Select jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or fig that echo the cookie's filling, creating a harmonious taste connection between the cookie and its internal fruity element.
• Accompany the cookies with a dollop of whipped mascarpone cream or vanilla custard, introducing a smooth, luxurious texture that contrasts with the cookie's delicate crunch.

Pizzicati Fillings and Styles You’ll Love

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure the texture remains tender and crumbly.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil and egg yolks with a flax egg mixture (ground flaxseed and water). Use plant-based margarine for a dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content. Choose a low-sugar fruit jam or sugar-free preserves for the filling.
• Nut-Filled Variation: Replace traditional jam with crushed almond or hazelnut spread for a nutty flavor profile. Sprinkle finely chopped nuts on top before baking for extra crunch.

Pizzicati (Italian Pinch Cookies) Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive pizzicati cookies dance with Italian charm, bringing sweet nostalgia to holiday gatherings. Delicate pinched edges and powdered sugar coating invite warm memories of family celebrations, promising pure delightful indulgence.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
• 2 large egg yolks
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Liquid and Filling:

• 23 tablespoons (30-45ml) milk
• ½ cup (120g) fruit jam or preserves

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Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and pale, then incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until smooth and uniform.
2. Gradually fold flour and salt into the butter mixture, creating a crumbly texture that slowly transforms into a cohesive dough.
3. If the dough seems dry, introduce milk incrementally, kneading until the consistency becomes soft and malleable.
4. Form the dough into a compact disk, encase completely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for half an hour to firm up and enhance flavor development.
5. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for even heat distribution.
6. On a lightly dusted surface, roll the chilled dough to a delicate 1/8-inch thickness, ensuring uniform thinness for consistent baking.
7. Cut precise circles using a 2.5-inch round cutter, creating uniform cookie bases for the traditional Italian treatment.
8. Center a small dollop of jam in each circular dough piece, positioning the filling to allow proper sealing.
9. Gently pinch two opposite sides of each circle, creating the distinctive pizzicati profile that encapsulates the fruity center.
10. Arrange cookies on prepared sheets, leaving adequate space between each to prevent merging during baking.
11. Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges that signal perfect doneness.
12. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for several minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and texture setting.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter to ensure smooth, even mixing and prevent lumpy dough texture.
• Experiment with different jam flavors like apricot, raspberry, or fig for unique taste variations.
• Avoid overworking the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent toughness from developing gluten.
• Chill dough for maximum 1 hour to maintain ideal consistency and prevent spreading during baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 109
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 35mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 37mg