Are you looking for a unique and delicious cookie recipe to impress your friends and family? Look no further than pine nut cookies!
These Italian-inspired treats are made with almond paste, egg whites, and of course, pine nuts. With a crispy outside and a chewy center, they’re the perfect combination of textures.
Plus, they’re easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. In this article, we’ll show you three different ways to make pine nut cookies, so you can choose the method that works best for you.
Get ready to impress your taste buds with this delightful dessert!
How To Make Pine Nut Cookies
Method 1: Using Almond Paste
The first method involves using almond paste, which can be found in most grocery stores. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 2 1/2 cups of almond paste
– 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 2 egg whites
– 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
– 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
– 1/4 teaspoon of salt
– Pine nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Pulse 1/4 cup of pine nuts in a food processor until coarsely ground.
3. Break up the almond paste with your hands and add it to the food processor. Process until just mixed.
4. Add the sugar and process until the mixture is crumbly.
5. Add the egg whites and vanilla extract, and process until the dough begins to come together.
6. Add the flour and salt, and process until fully blended and smooth.
7. Pour the remaining pine nuts into a small bowl.
8. Using a teaspoon and slightly moistened hands, take about 1 teaspoon of batter and roll it into a ball.
9. Gently drop the ball in the pine nuts and turn until completely coated.
10. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
11. Bake for 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
12. Cool on racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Method 2: Using Almond Flour
The second method involves using almond flour instead of almond paste. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 2 cups of blanched almond flour or finely ground almonds
– 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 1 1/4 cups of powdered sugar
– 3 large egg whites
– 1 teaspoon of almond extract
– Pine nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar.
3. Mix in the egg whites and almond extract until a smooth dough forms.
4. Roll the dough into small balls and coat them in pine nuts.
5. Place the cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
6. Cool on racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Method 3: Using Butter and Fennel Seed
The third method involves using butter and fennel seed for a unique twist on traditional pine nut cookies. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon of fennel seed
– 1/4 teaspoon of salt
– 1 large egg
– 2 cups of all-purpose flour
– Pine nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, fennel seed, and salt until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg.
3. Add the flour and mix just until blended.
4. Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into an 8-inch-long log.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.
6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Cut the dough log crosswise into 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick slices.
8. Transfer the cookies to a lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
9. Press pine nuts decoratively atop the cookies.
10. Bake for 15 minutes, until the cookies are golden around the edges.
11. Cool on racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Ingredients And Equipment Needed
To make Pine Nut Cookies, there are a few different methods you can use, each with their own set of ingredients and equipment. Here’s what you’ll need for each method:
Method 1: Using Almond Paste
– Food processor
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Mixing bowl
– Parchment paper
– Baking sheets
– Oven
Method 2: Using Almond Flour
– Mixing bowl
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Whisk or electric mixer
– Parchment paper
– Baking sheets
– Oven
Method 3: Using Butter and Fennel Seed
– Mixing bowl
– Electric mixer
– Plastic wrap
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Baking sheets
– Oven
Regardless of which method you choose, you’ll also need pine nuts for garnish (optional) and powdered sugar for dusting (if desired). It’s important to note that you should use almond paste, not marzipan or almond cake filling, as these won’t work for this recipe. Additionally, if using almond flour, make sure it’s blanched or finely ground for the best results.
Method 1: Traditional Pine Nut Cookies
Method 1 for making pine nut cookies involves using almond paste. This method is a traditional approach and requires a few simple steps to create delicious cookies. To begin, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, pulse 1/4 cup of pine nuts in a food processor until coarsely ground. Next, break up the almond paste with your hands and add it to the food processor. Process until just mixed.
After that, add the sugar and process until the mixture is crumbly. Add the egg whites and vanilla extract, and process until the dough begins to come together. Add the flour and salt, and process until fully blended and smooth.
Once the dough is ready, pour the remaining pine nuts into a small bowl. Using a teaspoon and slightly moistened hands, take about 1 teaspoon of batter and roll it into a ball. Gently drop the ball in the pine nuts and turn until completely coated. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake for 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on racks and dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. Stored in an airtight container, cookies should last for 7-10 days. This traditional method of making pine nut cookies results in a delicious treat that is perfect for any occasion.
Method 2: Gluten-Free Pine Nut Cookies
If you’re looking for a gluten-free option for pine nut cookies, then this method is perfect for you. Instead of using almond paste or all-purpose flour, we will be using almond flour, which is naturally gluten-free. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 2 cups of blanched almond flour or finely ground almonds
– 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 1 1/4 cups of powdered sugar
– 3 large egg whites
– 1 teaspoon of almond extract
– Pine nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar.
3. Mix in the egg whites and almond extract until a smooth dough forms.
4. Roll the dough into small balls and coat them in pine nuts.
5. Place the cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
6. Cool on racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
These cookies are soft and chewy with a nutty flavor that is perfectly complemented by the pine nuts. They are also naturally gluten-free, making them a great option for those with gluten sensitivities or allergies. Serve these cookies during the holidays or any time you want a sweet treat that’s both delicious and healthy.
Method 3: Vegan Pine Nut Cookies
For those who prefer a vegan option, here’s a recipe for pine nut cookies that uses aquafaba instead of egg whites. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 16 ounces of almond paste
– 1/2 cup of blanched almond flour
– 1 cup of granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch
– 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
– 1/3 cup of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
– 1/2 to 3/4 cup of pine nuts for rolling
– Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the almond paste, almond flour, granulated sugar, tapioca starch, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest.
3. Add the aquafaba and mix until a dough forms.
4. Pour the pine nuts into a shallow bowl.
5. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form the dough into balls.
6. Roll each ball in the pine nuts until fully coated.
7. Place the cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
8. Cool on racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
These vegan pine nut cookies are just as delicious as the traditional versions and are perfect for those with dietary restrictions or who simply prefer a plant-based option.
Tips For Perfect Pine Nut Cookies
If you want to make perfect pine nut cookies, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Use fresh ingredients: Make sure that your almond paste, almond flour, and pine nuts are fresh. Old ingredients can affect the flavor and texture of the cookies.
2. Chill the dough: Chilling the dough for at least 20 minutes before shaping it into balls will make it easier to handle and prevent it from spreading too much while baking.
3. Use parchment paper or a Silpat: Using parchment paper or a Silpat will prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
4. Lightly flour your hands: When shaping the dough into balls, lightly flour your hands to prevent the dough from sticking.
5. Coat only one side of the dough ball with pine nuts: Coating only one side of the dough ball with pine nuts will ensure that they stick properly and don’t fall off during baking.
6. Watch the cookies carefully while baking: Pine nut cookies can easily over-bake and become dry and hard. Keep a close eye on them and take them out of the oven as soon as they turn pale golden brown.
7. Store them properly: To keep your pine nut cookies fresh for as long as possible, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7-10 days.
Serving And Storing Your Pine Nut Cookies
Now that you’ve made your delicious pine nut cookies, it’s time to serve and store them properly to ensure they stay fresh and tasty.
Serving:
Pine nut cookies are best served at room temperature. You can dust them with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness. They make a great addition to any dessert table or cookie platter, and are perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Storing:
Baked pine nut cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them for up to one month. To freeze, layer the cookies in a container with parchment or wax paper between the layers. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to keep out moisture.
If you have leftover cookie dough, you can also freeze it for up to three months. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen cookies or dough, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your homemade pine nut cookies for days or even weeks to come!