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