Pine Nut Pignoli Cookies Recipe

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Pignoli cookies are a quick and easy to make Italian cookie recipe. With the simple prep, these yummy cookies only take 30 minutes to make. There is no piping or dipping to make the baking complicated or stressful. We are working with Upparent today to bring you this Christmas cookie recipe.

Pignoli Cookies Recipe

I love Pignoli Cookies so much. They were a staple of social activity when I was a kid. The only hostess gift that I ever saw brought to my home was a white bakery box filled with Italian cookies like the pignoli cookies and Italian Rainbow Cookies.

Pignoli Cookies

This is one of my favorite Italian cookie recipes. They are quick and easy to make and something different to take to your cookie exchange this year.  

  • 1 cup almond paste
  • 14 cup granulated sugar
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 drops lemon essential oil or lemon essence
  • 12 cup almond flour or all purpose flour
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 12 cups pine nuts

Pine Nut Cookies Recipe

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large food processor, pulse 1/4 cup of the pine nuts until coarsely ground.

Knead the almond paste with your hands before removing it from the tube.

In the food processor, add the 8 ounces (one cup) of almond paste, 4 ounces (1/2 cup almond flour), 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the mixture is uniformly crumbly.

Add in the 2 egg whites, mixing to make a smooth paste.

Stir in the almond extract.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Put the one and a half cups of pine nuts in a shallow bowl or lipped plate.

Wet your hands and form the dough into tablespoon size balls. Roll in the pine nuts to coat completely.

Arrange the balls one inch apart on the baking sheets.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the pine nut cookies are lightly golden around the edges.

Cool them on the pans for five minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Notes: Stored in an airtight container, cookies should last for 7-10 days.

Pine nut cookies recipe

 

Upparent Recipes

Need more holiday cookie inspiration? Check out this great roundup of holiday cookie recipes from Upparent. Upparent is an exciting new startup that helps gather family-friendly recommendations about things to do, places to go, and products and recipes to try. Anyone can recommend their own family favorites on Upparent! Personal recommendations are gathered into convenient lists and polls, so content is fun and easy to browse

From gift ideas to holiday activities, parental advice and more, you can find it all and share your tips on Upparent, too!

Print

Pine Nut Pignoli Cookies

Prep Time 7 hours 27 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours 27 minutes
Servings 12 Cookies
Calories 173kcal
Author April Golightly

Ingredients

  • cup  almond paste
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 drops lemon essence drops lemon essential oil
  • 1/2 cup almond flour or all purpose flour 
  • egg white
  • 1 1/2 cup pine nuts

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, blend the one cup of almond paste, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the mixture is uniformly crumbly.
  • Add in the one egg white, mixing to make a smooth paste.
  • Stir in the almond extract.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Put the one and a half cups of pine nuts in a shallow bowl or lipped plate.
  • Wet your hands and form the dough into tablespoon size balls. Roll in the pine nuts to coat completely.
  • Arrange the balls one inch apart on the baking sheets.
  • Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the pine nut cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
  • Cool them on the pans for five minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
Pine Nut Pignoli Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 173 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 55mg2%
Potassium 100mg3%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 4g8%
Calcium 45mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Stored in an airtight container, cookies should last for 7-10 days.
Pignoli Cookies Recipe

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277 thoughts on “Pine Nut Pignoli Cookies Recipe”

  1. Love taking the polls at up parent. It is always interesting to see the results. Always so many fun interesting things to do with the kids and love the restaurants that are available to kids to eat for free who doesn’t love saving money.

    Reply
  2. Do you bring your kids to see santa? I’m curious to see how many people respond. This is a yearly tradition at our house no matter what the age!

    Reply
  3. I like the new post “Christmas Events Around Boston” , very helpful list and it covers not only Boston, but also the Boston, MA and Providence, RI metro areas

    Reply
  4. My favorite Upparent holiday poll is the “Does Santa wrap his gifts? poll. I hadn’t really thought about the different ways Santa could leave children’s gifts. I like the idea that Santa uses special wrapping paper that is kept secret. I never knew that at some houses Santa just left the gifts without wrapping them. Perhaps he runs out of time to wrap everyone’s gifts.

    Reply
  5. When does your family put up the Christmas Tree? We broke tradition and put it up (gasp) before Thanksgiving for the first time. It felt wrong but then it felt so right!

    Reply
  6. This is my first time here and I love the Instapot recipes! Will be a frequent visitor from here on out! Awesome, fun content!

    Reply
  7. Good discussion, I like the “Does your Family Get a Live or Artificial Christmas Tree?” poll. We almost bought a fake tree this year but know we are moving later on this year so we didn’t…didn’t want to store it.

    Reply
  8. Good discussion, “Does your Family Get a Live or Artificial Christmas Tree?” poll. We almost bought a fake tree this year but know we are moving later on this year so we didn’t…didn’t want to store it.

    Reply
  9. Good discussion, “Does your Family Get a Live or Artificial Christmas Tree?” We almost bought a fake tree this year but know we are moving later on this year so we didn’t…didn’t want to store it.

    Reply
  10. Good discussion, Artificial tree vs real tree. We almost bought a fake tree this year but know we are moving later on this year so we didn’t…didn’t want to store it.

    Reply
  11. It’s hard to choose just one Upparent list or poll. I guess I will have to say The Best Game for Family Game night. I love this concept of knowing you’re getting information on from actual parents & not so called experts & that you get unbiased information.

    Reply
  12. Love your site, so many great choices, but I really liked the gifts for teachers I have several family members who are in the teaching profession

    Reply
  13. I really like the recipe ideas. IOne I really liked and am excited to use is the list ofGo-To Recipes For Quick and Easy Family Dinners.

    Reply
  14. Since this is a yearly struggle at our house I was really interested in reading the “When do you put up your Christmas Tree?” poll. I always think it should be after Thanksgiving and it looks like the majority of those who answered fell the same way.

    Reply
  15. My favorite Upparent holiday poll is When does your family put up the Christmas tree? I put mine up the day after Thanksgiving and start decorating for Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year!

    Reply
  16. I loved the “Does Santa wrap his gifts?” poll. Very interesting to see that Santa is still a force to be reckoned with.

    Reply
  17. I was surprised at the poll which said the majority of people do stockings for both adults and the kids! We may have to start a new holida tradition this year! Gee I wonder if a new coast and new boots will fit in my stocking?

    Reply
  18. Never tried pine nuts before 🤔 Not sure what kind of luck I’ll have trying to find them on Oahu, but I’ll keep an eye 3oeeled. If I find ’em, I think I’ll give it a try 😄

    Reply
  19. Your Pine Nut Pignoli Cookies Recipe is amazing! I love Pine Nuts and I have a great stuffing recipe with pine nuts that I make. My favorite poll at Upparent.com is “How many loads of laundry do you wash per week” I find this poll very interesting because I feel like I’m constantly doing laundry and based on this polls results, I’m correct because I’m in the 5% that does 11+ loads of laundry per week…LOL.

    Reply
  20. I appreciate that the poll for Does your Family Get a Live or Artificial Christmas Tree? includes the option of not having a tree at all. It’s inclusive and that’s nice.

    Reply
  21. I like the items on their gifts for tweens list- it will be a big help when shopping for our nieces. The Pier 1 Silver & Navy Sequined Mermaid Pillow would be great for a coupl of them.

    Reply
  22. 5 stars
    I’ve always loved Pine Nuts. This cookie recipe is just what I needed for something a little different at Christmas dinner this year!

    Reply
  23. Mine is “Christmas Movies for Families”. We have mixed age family members over every Christmas Eve and besides the classics it’s good to know what’s out there,

    Reply
  24. 5 stars
    Does Santa wrap his gifts? We always put the gifts from Santa unwrapped in front of our regular wrapped gifts so the kids see them first on Christmas morning.

    Reply
  25. I took some polls and I love the teachers gift idea (planter and saucer), I need a few of those.
    Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
  26. I got a little carried away with the polls—what fun! But I also appreciate the Candy-free Stocking Stuffers—great ideas! I’m looking at the LED reading light.

    Reply
  27. i like the poll about does Santa wrap his gifts. i think this would be cute if kids asked this? what do you say, the elves? i always wrap my gifts.

    Reply
  28. I love recipes with almond extract, it is one of my favorite extracts to bake with- i will definitely be trying this one! I like that you compile recipes and have them all in one spot to come back to, there are quite a few i will want to try the holiday season!

    Reply
  29. My favorite poll was the “What Winter holiday does your family celebrate?” found here: https://www.upparent.com/polls/what-winter-holiday-does-your-family-celebrate I was happy to see something non-Christmas related but sorry that Winter Solstice was not in the list to vote on . I tried to add it or leave a comment about it, but the website was having tech issues and would not let me sign in. Anyway, was still refreshing to see someone thinking about all the other holidays that happen this time of year, even if they left mine out. hahaha!

    Reply
  30. 5 stars
    I found this recipe looking for non traditional cookies and I came across this one. Tried it and my family loved it, especially my 5 year old who is the pickiest eater alive! Thanks for the new recipe to add to my collection!

    Reply
  31. I LOVE Pignoli cookies! They are my fave! I am new to Upparent, so I can’t wait to see what kinds of awesome things they have available!!!

    Reply
  32. The polls are awesome! I’m curious to see the responses to the Do you bring your kids to see Santa? poll. Excited about making these cookies

    Reply
  33. “Does Santa Wrap His Gifts poll” was interesting. My parents would wrap most but some weren’t and had bows stuck on them. We always had “secret” wrapping paper for Santa to wrap with.

    Reply
  34. Does Santa Wrap His Gifts poll” was interesting. The results weren’t what I thought it would be. When both my husband and I were growing up, Santa would just leave presents unwrapped under the tree and that’s what we did with our kids but looks like we are in the minority and most families presents from Santa were wrapped.

    Reply
  35. I like the “Which family members do you do stocking stuffers for? ” . We only do stocking stuffers for the kids but it looks like the majority of people polled do for both adults and kids 🙂

    Reply
  36. I like the poll about the stocking stuffers. I liked reading the comments that everyone left. I didnt comment on there. but everyone in my household gets a stocking full of goodies. kids and adults.

    Reply
  37. Thanks for sharing pine nut pignoli cookie recipe, they look delicious !
    I can’t wait to try the recipe,so I can have some with hot cocoa !

    Reply
  38. Wee would go pine nut hunting in our area. Them we would cook the pine cones til they would open up and we could take the pine nuts our. We would have pine gum on our hands, but we had fun as a family doing this. it would have been nice to have had this recipe to use.

    Reply
  39. 5 stars
    They had a list of things for Thanksgiving and said to only pick 3. I chose Turkey, stuffing and wine. I had that on Thanksgiving for real. It was great.
    This cookie recipe looks yummy very Christmasy.

    Reply
  40. I like the “Family Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes” list. It’s full of great cookie ideas to bake for my family!

    Reply
  41. Found it interesting that the live vs. artificial tree was 50/50, well until my response. I’m interested to see if the result is the same after more people respond.

    Reply
  42. My favorite poll is when do you put up your Christmas tree
    I usually put mine up about 2 weeks before Christmas and take it out about a week after

    Reply
  43. My favorite Upparent holiday poll is the “Does Santa wrap his gifts? poll. Thank you for teaching me new tricks and letting me know not everyone does the same thing

    Reply
  44. I am new here!! Melissa Bassett told me about your site. I can’t wait to explore. I have 4 kids- ages 10-17 and they go to 3 different schools. So I am sure I will find lots of useful content here!

    Reply
  45. My favorite list at Upparent.com is the ‘Instant Pot Recipes Your Family Will Love’. I just bought an Instant Pot and trying recipes that others have tried and love makes a big difference than making something I’ve never had before and everyone not liking it…wasting time and food. I see that particular list as a time saver!

    Reply
  46. This would be a blessing for my family right now. Going through the worst of hard times I’ve ever faced. Praying to God he will help me get through this. Thank you for opportunity Japy Holidays

    Reply
  47. 5 stars
    This recipe sounds and looks delicious.
    I like the all the gift ideas on Upparent.com. These ideas will help me choose presents for my family.

    Reply
  48. I enjoyed does Santa wrap his gifts poll. Our parents gave us presents on xmas eve but then on Christmas morning we had ones that werent wrapped

    Reply
  49. I love reading the polls since I have a 2 yr old and 4 month old grandsons. Gives me great ideas and things I don’t think of. I have it bookmarked so I can keep going back to it. When I can afford to I’d like to do the subscription box. Thanks for this info!

    Reply
  50. 5 stars
    I have never tried pine nuts but there is a first for everything and I like being adventurous. Thank you for sharing this recipe with me!! Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  51. Those look so good! I’ve never considered using pine nuts for cookies before (which I love pinenuts) so I have to try this! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  52. Gingersnap cookies is what my son and I make for Christmas and they are dipped in white chocolate but these look amazing as well so I definitely would love to try them.

    Reply
  53. 5 stars
    First, these look amazing! I think my favorite current poll is the one about Elf on the Shelf. We started that tradition this year and we are having so much fun with it!

    Reply
  54. These look delicious. It’s a holiday tradition to bake cookies and make candy with my Mom and Daughter, who is 5. We need to add these to our list this year.

    Reply
  55. I love these They are so good , my kids and I made them for the teachers and school staff and they loved them , Thanks again

    Reply
  56. 5 stars
    I really loved your recipes. Thank you for sharing. My kids and the gremlin hubby if mine will definitely enjoy them when I make them for Christmas with some yummy whipped cream hot chocolate.

    Reply
  57. It looks like the site has some useful tips for my area. There is a list of the best staycation spots in Miami which is only an hour drive away. It is nice to find a list of new activities and places to visit. I also love the list on the site for Best Stocking Stuffers for Kids.

    Reply
  58. 4 stars
    I like all the polls, so fun to see what other families od, but I especially appreciate the lists of gift suggestions for various family memebers or age groups.

    Reply
  59. We have so many holiday traditions! My favorite is baking and frosting sugar cookies We also go look at Christmas lights with some homemade hot chocolate for the ride!

    Reply
  60. I’m new to Upparent so I don’t really know much about the different polls/lists. I’m looking forward to checking them all out! I love this recipe though and if there’s more of that, THAT would be my favorite. I love to bake and trying out new recipes with my boys!

    Reply
  61. Hello!

    Their gift ideas list for teens had several really cool, original ideas. My teen actually would love a gift box of British candy bats, as an example. Lots of unique suggestions. I have bookmarked for those last minute holiday and birthday gifts we always seem to need.

    Reply
  62. I love anything that has a high content of almond flavoring and especially almond paste! These cookies look amazing & are going on my must-make list.

    

I have a couple favorite lists on Upparent – Make Ahead Christmas Breakfast Recipes for Families, and The Best Gift Ideas for Dads.

    Reply

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