What is better than a classic Italian cookie! One that is made with hazelnuts and chocolate. Baci di dama translates to Lady’s Kisses. Cookies that appear to have lips getting ready to blow a kiss. It works for me but I desire a lot of kisses with a big cup of coffee. Actually, it’s a perfect combination. Dip, eat and drink.
Our favorite farmhouse chef in Umbria, Letizia Mattiacci, has graciously provided her recipe for this popular cookie from Piemonte. It’s quick, easy and the results ARE SO WORTH IT. Please visit her site Madonna del Piatto for information about her lovely farm, bed and breakfast, Italian recipes and cooking school. I highly recommend her cookbook, A Kitchen With a View. This is a must-have book for light, fresh and tasty Italian recipes.
Baci di dama translates to lady's kisses. A classic Italian cookie from Piemonte. Delicious alone or served with coffee.
- 3.5 ounces hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pastry flour (can substitute cake flour)
- 1 egg white
- powdered sugar to coat if desired
- 3 ounces 70% dark chocolate
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Place all dry ingredients and the butter in a food processor. Blend at high speed until most of the mixture resembles coarse meal. About 2 minutes.
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Stir in the egg white and vanilla. Blend until the mixture forms a dough. About one minute. Do not overheat the butter in the dough by over blending.
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With lightly floured hands, roll the dough into 1 inch thick cylinders. Cut each cylinder into 2/3 inch pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Arrange dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Bake the cookies in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes until slightly golden. Meanwhile, place two tablespoons of powder sugar in a paper bag. When cookies are cool enough to handle, place a third of the cookies into the paper bag. Shake lightly to coat.
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Place all coated cookies on a wire rack and repeat coating with the remaining cookies. Add more powdered sugar to the bag if necessary.
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Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler over low heat. Allow to cool until it becomes a thick-spreadable cream.
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Assemble the baci di dama by sandwiching two cookies of similar size with a thin layer of melted chocolate in between. Enjoy!