Italian Peach Cookies are delightful, peach-shaped pastries with a soft, tender shell, a luscious filling, and a sugar-coated exterior. They’re perfect for special occasions or a sweet indulgence.
Preparation Details
- Preparation Time: 45 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Assembly and Decoration Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1.5 hours
- Cooking Intensity: Moderate
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
For the Filling:
- ½ cup peach or apricot jam
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional for consistency)
For Decoration:
- ½ cup peach liqueur or juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Red and yellow food coloring
- Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies
- Roll the dough into small balls, about the size of a walnut (approximately 1 tablespoon of dough).
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The cookies should remain pale on top.
- Let the cookies cool completely.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
- In a small bowl, mix the peach or apricot jam with cocoa powder until smooth. Add heavy cream if the filling is too thick.
- Gently hollow out the bottoms of each cookie with a small spoon or knife to create a cavity for the filling.
- Fill one hollowed side with a small amount of the jam mixture and press two cookie halves together to form a peach shape.
Step 4: Decorate the Cookies
- Divide the liqueur or juice into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one and yellow to the other.
- Lightly dip each peach cookie into the red and yellow liquids to create a natural peach-like gradient. Be careful not to soak the cookies.
- Roll the cookies in granulated sugar until evenly coated.
- Insert a small mint leaf into the top of each cookie to resemble a peach stem.
Serving Suggestions
Arrange the Italian Peach Cookies on a platter for a stunning presentation. These cookies pair beautifully with espresso or tea.
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie, Approx. 1 of 20)
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 6g
- Sugar: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
These charming Italian Peach Cookies are not only delicious but also visually impressive, making them a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Buon appetito!
