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
What to Use in Italian Pinch Cookies
Base Ingredients:Dry Ingredients:Moisture and Filling Ingredients: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
Gradually incorporate: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
How to Store Pizzicati and Keep Them Crisp
What to Pair with Italian Pinch Cookies
Pizzicati Fillings and Styles You’ll Love
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Pizzicati (Italian Pinch Cookies) Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
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.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and pale, then incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until smooth and uniform.
- Gradually fold flour and salt into the butter mixture, creating a crumbly texture that slowly transforms into a cohesive dough.
- If the dough seems dry, introduce milk incrementally, kneading until the consistency becomes soft and malleable.
- 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.
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for even heat distribution.
- On a lightly dusted surface, roll the chilled dough to a delicate 1/8-inch thickness, ensuring uniform thinness for consistent baking.
- Cut precise circles using a 2.5-inch round cutter, creating uniform cookie bases for the traditional Italian treatment.
- Center a small dollop of jam in each circular dough piece, positioning the filling to allow proper sealing.
- Gently pinch two opposite sides of each circle, creating the distinctive pizzicati profile that encapsulates the fruity center.
- Arrange cookies on prepared sheets, leaving adequate space between each to prevent merging during baking.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges that signal perfect doneness.
- 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
Daves Miller
Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky
White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire
Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals.
He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.