Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (2024)

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ByRosemary

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Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies, a delicious crunchy Cookie Recipe. Traditionally filled with your favourite Jam or why not a little Nutella? These simple, buttery cookies make the perfect snack or even dessert.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (1)

A little while ago I received a message from a reader telling me about this Italian Cookie she had eaten and explaining what it looked like and if I knew what it was called.

Well I actually did, and this cookie is sold in most bakeries (forni) in my small town. After some searching I discovered they were called Pizzicati, but also known as Pinch Cookies, Bow Tie Cookies or Envelope Cookies.

Table of Contents

How to make Pizzicati

In a large bowl, food processor or standup mixer whisk together the flour, cornstarch, sugar and baking powder, make a well in the centre and add the egg and butter, combine with a fork until mixture almost combined.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (2)

Move to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead until you have a soft smooth dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight.

Roll half the dough at a time on a floured flat surface until the thinness of a pie crust or a little thicker if you want, cut out with a small round cookie cutter. Place a teaspoon of jam in the middle of the circle and take the two ends and pinch them together.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (3)

Place cookies on the prepared cookie sheets and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely then dust with a little powdered sugar.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (4)

How to keep the dough from opening while baking

What has always worked for me is pinch the dough then pinch it again with wet fingers and then place them on the prepared cookie sheet.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (5)

How to store Italian them

The cookies should be stored in an airtight container, each layer separated with parchment paper. They are best stored in a cool dry area. Stored properly they will last up to 4 days.

You can even make the dough in advance, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate, it will last up to 3 days. Just work the dough a bit before rolling.

They can also be frozen in a freezer safe bag or container and will last up to two months. Be sure the cookies have cooled completely before freezing. The dough can also be frozen, wrapped in plastic wrap then placed in a freezer tight bag. The dough will last up to four to five months.

Sometimes I am asked about a certain recipe, and if I have ever heard of them. If I am not familiar then I will ask friends and family and more times than not they can help me out. Unfortunately sometimes we don’t have a clue (sorry).

Could be the translation is not correct, could be the recipe is only made in a certain part of Italy and after searching and searching it appears to be nowhere to be found, or maybe it was invented in another part of the world by an Italian Expat!

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (6)

Italian Dishes that aren’t really Italian

  • Spaghetti and Meatballs – For Italians this is two separate meals, Primo and Secondo Piatto
  • Garlic Bread – I love it and my Mom would make it, but nope not on an Italian dinner table.
  • Chicken Parmigiana – Which was actually invented by an Italian Expat.
  • Fettuccine Alfredo – Which strange as it sounds, was invented by an Italian in Rome but is rarely if ever served in Italy!!!
  • Italian Salad Dressing – No thanks just give me some Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and sprinkle of salt.
  • Cioppino – Was actually invented by an Italian Fisherman in San Francisco.

If you are in a Cookie making mood this weekend here are a few more recipes worth discovering!

More Italian Cookies you may enjoy!

  • Strawberry Filled Soft Italian Cookies
  • Double Nutella Stuffed Cookies
  • Nutellotti Cookies / Nutella Cookies
  • Chocolate Almond Biscotti
  • Amaretti Cookies
  • Canestrelli
  • Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies
  • Pumpkin Baci di Dama
  • Lingue di Gatto
  • Italian Sandwich Cookies
  • Italian S Cookies
  • Italian Butter Cookies
  • Occhio di Bue / Italian Sandwich Cookies
  • Italian Butter Cookies

Christmas Cookies you are definitely going to want to make.

Most of these recipes were my Mom’s and believe me she was known for her amazing Christmas Cookies. We could never get enough and she was always asked for her recipes.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (7)
  • The Best Two Way Shortbread Cookies
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip and Nut Fruitcake Cookies
  • Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread
  • Almond Crescent Cookies

Cookies for Weekend Baking

These yummy cookies are the perfect weekend baking idea. Some need time to chill, some just take a little bit more effort. All are delicious.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (8)
  • Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
  • Thick Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Maple Leaf Sandwich Cookies
  • Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies

Italian Breakfast Cookies

Whether you are looking for the perfect cookie for dunking in your morning caffe latte or eat along side a tea or coffee then these delicious cookies are meant for you.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (9)
  • Traditional Italian Breakfast Cookies
  • Wine Cookies / Ciambelle al Vino

Easy Cookies to make

Whether you have very little time or you just need a cookie fast, these quick and easy and so tasty Cookies are perfect.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (10)
  • Easy Strawberry Cookies
  • One Bowl Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Big Chocolate Chip Cookie

A few Hard to Resist Crunchy Cookies

Sometimes all you really want is a hard crunchy cookie, nothing like pouring yourself a glass of cold milk and grabbing a few of these delicious cookies.

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (11)
  • Crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
  • Crunchy Pecan Cookies
  • Crunchy Nutella No Yeast Roll Ups
  • Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies made with Fruit

These delicious made with fruit cookies are sometimes exactly what we need!

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (12)
  • Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
  • Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies
  • Homemade Apple Pie Cookies

So I hope you get inspired for baking up a cookie or two or even giving these Italian Pinch Cookies a try. Enjoy!

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (13)

Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies

Rosemary Molloy

Pizzicati Italian Cookies, a delicious crunchy Cookie Recipe.These simple, buttery crunchy cookies make the perfect snack or even dessert.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Chilling Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 30 cookies

Calories 83 kcal

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (with at least 11.5% protein)
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons icing / powdered sugar (75 grams total)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup butter (soft)
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup jam*

* Choose your jam of choice, a thick jam is the best or even Nutella.

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl sift together the flour, cornstarch, icing sugar, baking powder and salt, make a well in the centre and add the egg and butter combine with a fork until mixture is almost combined. (if you wish you can use a food processor or stand up mixer with the paddle attachment).

    • Move to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead until you have a soft smooth dough (do not over knead) (if too sticky then add a little extra flour if too dry add a little more butter (a tablespoon at a time).

    • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

    • Remove from the fridge and roll half the dough at a time on a floured flat surface until a little bit thicker than a pie crust (about ¼ inch), cut out with a medium (2¼ – 2½ inches / 7 cm) or small (2 inch /5 cm) round cookie cutter.

    • Place a teaspoon of jam in the middle of each circle and take the two ends and pinch them together, dip fingers in a little water and pinch the dough again, just to make sure that the dough sticks and doesn't open while baking.

    • Place the cookies on 1-2 parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Preheat oven to 350F (180C), while the oven is preheating refrigerate the cookies, then bake for approximately 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely then dust with a little icing / powdered sugar. Enjoy.

    Notes

    Be sure to use an all purpose flour with at least 11.5% protein, this will help keep the cookies from spreading.

    For Room Temperature remove ingredients from the fridge for approximately 60 minutes before using (longer if your house is cool).

    You can even bring the dough together with a food processor or stand up mixer with the paddle attachment.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

    Updated from May 5, 2018.

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    Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies + 30 Cookie Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the most popular Italian cookie? ›

    Most Popular Italian Cookies
    • Amaretti. These lovely almond-flavoured biscotti were supposedly first made during the Middle Ages. ...
    • Ricciarelli. ...
    • Baci di dama. ...
    • Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti. ...
    • Savoiardi. ...
    • Canestrelli. ...
    • Biscotti al Cocco. ...
    • Pizzelle.
    Oct 22, 2020

    What is an Italian cookie that starts with AP? ›

    Pizzicati are delicate Italian shortbread cookies filled with jam. Sometimes called biscotti pizzicati or simply pinch cookies, the jam-filled cookies are not too sweet and beautiful on a dessert tray. Pizzicati is one of my favorite cookie recipes and for good reason.

    How many calories are in Italian cookies with jelly? ›

    Cookies Con Amore Assorted Jelly Handmade Italian Cookies (1 serving) contains 16g total carbs, 16g net carbs, 5g fat, 1g protein, and 120 calories.

    How to thicken cookies? ›

    The easy answer is to use more flour. An addition of cake flour can keep a “thick” cookie tender. Another answer is to use medium size eggs instead of large eggs if the recipe calls for eggs.

    What is the most popular Italian cookie in the United States? ›

    Biscotti Amaretti is the most famous Italian cookie of all. Made without flour or any added fat this almond macaroon is light, crunchy and intensely almond.

    What flour do Italians use for cookies? ›

    For cookies, bars, cakes/cupcakes, biscuits, scones, or anything that needs a tender crumb, use Farina di grano tenero, 00. This is your “cake flour.” Nobody wants a chewy cake. For bread, I recommend starting off with Farina di Manitoba, grano tenero, 0; this is similar to standard American bread flour.

    What is the word for hard Italian cookies? ›

    Biscotti (/bɪˈskɒti/, Italian: [biˈskɔtti]; lit. 'biscuits') or cantucci ( Italian: [kanˈtuttʃi]) are Italian almond biscuits that originated in the Tuscan city of Prato. They are twice-baked, oblong-shaped, dry, crunchy, and may be dipped in a drink, traditionally Vin Santo.

    What is the name for the Italian twice-baked hard cookie? ›

    The History of Biscotti – Biscotti comes from the Latin word biscoctus, which means twice-baked. While Italians use biscotti as an umbrella term, of sorts, to designate many different varietals of cookies, Americans use it as the name for this delicious long, crisp, twice-baked Italian cookie.

    How much sugar is in Italian cookies? ›

    contains 120 calories per 25 g serving. This serving contains 4.5 g of fat, 2 g of protein and 18 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 10 g sugar and 1 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate.

    Do brownies or cookies have more calories? ›

    One chocolate chip cookie also has considerably fewer calories than a brownie, with the average brownie containing about 130 calories. Considering that brownies and chocolate chip cookies have comparable nutritional profiles, neither is better for you than the other.

    How many carbs are in Italian wedding cookies? ›

    Bombolo Biscotti Italian Wedding Cookies (1 cookie) contains 17g total carbs, 17g net carbs, 6g fat, 2g protein, and 150 calories.

    What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

    Light corn syrup is another ingredient that you can add to cookie dough that will help it stay softer longer. The corn syrup you buy at the grocery store is not the high-fructose corn syrup that soft drinks are made with; it's a sugar that is liquid at room temperature and helps other sugars say liquid at high heat.

    What is the secret to thick cookies? ›

    A low proportion of sugar relative to flour reduces spread, keeping the cookies thick. A high proportion of mix-ins helps thicken the dough. Blending chocolate chip styles creates a more dynamic flavor. Overnight refrigeration hydrates the flour, again helping the cookies stay thick.

    Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

    Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

    What cookies are famous in Italy? ›

    Traditional and Classic Italian Cookie Names
    • Cantucci – Biscotti Bliss. ...
    • Amaretti – Almond Wishes. ...
    • Ricciarelli – Gluten-Free Almond Indulgence. ...
    • Savoiardi (Ladyfingers) ...
    • Pizzelle – Abruzzo's Ancient Art. ...
    • Torcetti – Sweet Twists from Piedmont. ...
    • Zaletti – Veneto's Cornmeal Treat. ...
    • Brutti ma Buoni – Unassuming Delights.
    Dec 24, 2023

    What is the name of the Italian cookie? ›

    This is the proper name for the biscuit we know as biscotti, which in Italian just means “cookies.” Twice-baked and sliced, these ultra-crunchy, not-too-sweet biscuits are usually studded with nuts and simply beg to be dipped in coffee, tea, or a glass of vin santo.

    What is the number one selling cookie in the world? ›

    Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co. But did you know Oreos are a copycat product?

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