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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Italian Baci di Dama – Lady Kisses

Italian Baci di Dama – Lady Kisses

By: Rosemary Published: February 1, 2021 Updated on: March 28, 2023

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These simple cookies are a very popular Italian treat, known as Baci di Dama or Lady Kisses. A buttery almond cookie filled with a chocolate ganache. Use ruby chocolate to add a special treat for Valentine’s Day.

baci di dama on a black board

Whenever I make these cookies they go in no time, I never have to worry about freezing any leftovers because there are none. A really lovely cookie that can be filled with your favourite filling. Italian like to fill them with a simple chocolate ganache or even Nutella.

Table of Contents

  • How to make them
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • What is Ruby Chocolate
  • Where did they originate
  • How to roast nuts
  • How to store them
  • More Delicious Italian Cookies
  • Italian Baci di Dama – Lady Kisses
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • CHOCOLATE GANACHE
      • *Or choose your own filling.
    • Instructions 
      • CHOCOLATE GANACHE
    • Nutrition

How to make them

Place the skinned almonds or hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and roast in a pre-heated oven for about 5-10 minutes. Move to a clean bowl and let cool completely.

In the food processor add the nuts and the sugar, blend until very finely ground.

mixing the nuts and sugar until ground

Move to a large bowl. Add the the flour, vanilla, egg, butter and salt, mix with a fork until almost combined.

mixing all the ingredients until almost combined in a glass bowl

Move the mixture to a lightly floured flat surface and knead gently to form a compact dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

dough made on plastic wrap

Remove the dough from the fridge and form into small balls about 8 grams or 1/4 ounce. Make sure you don’t make the cookies too big or they won’t bake properly, they will remain gummy inside. Place the formed balls on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate while the oven is pre-heating, about 30 minutes.

cookies formed before and after baking

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    Remove from the fridge and bake until slightly golden, cool the cookies completely before filling.

    cookies on cookie sheet some filled with chocolate filling in a small white bowl

    What is Ruby Chocolate

    Ruby Chocolate is a new chocolate addition that was introduced in 2017 by Barry Callebaut, a Belgium Swiss Cocoa Company. This chocolate is made from Ruby Cocoa Beans. Ruby chocolate is a totally new taste experience, it is neither bitter, milky or sweet, but has an intense fruity taste and is extremely smooth. Besides being a gorgeous ruby colour, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!

    Where did they originate

    The cookie, Baci di Dama is originally from the region of Piedmont, (supposedly they resemble a woman’s lips ready for a kiss) and are made with hazelnuts (or almonds) and filled with melted chocolate.

    cookies on a black plate and 2 on the board

    How to roast nuts

    Pre-heat the oven to 350F (180C), place the whole peeled almonds or hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and bake for about 6-7 minutes. Immediately move the roasted nuts to a clean bowl.

    If left on the pan they will continue to bake and you don’t want that. Almonds and Hazelnuts can be bought in bulk and stored in the freezer, in a freezer safe bag or container, they will keep for up to six to eight months. For this recipe you can use either skinned almonds or hazelnuts, whichever you prefer.

    cookies all together on a white board

    How to store them

    Baci di dama without filling can be kept for 1 week in a cool place, closed in an airtight container. If filled it is best to keep the cookies in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before serving. 

    Or you can freeze them baked and filled for 1 month. If you want to freeze the dough it’s best to form the balls place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer until they are firm then  transfer them to a freezer safe container or bag. They dough will last up to 2 months in the fridge.

    More Delicious Italian Cookies

    Canestrelli

    Italian Lemon Cookies

    Italian Easter Cookies

    Traditional Italian Breakfast Cookies

    So if you are looking for a very popular and delicious Italian Cookie then I hope you try these Italian Baci di Dama – Lady Kisses and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

    baci di dama on a small white cookie plate

    baci di dama on a small white cookie plate

    Italian Baci di Dama - Lady Kisses

    Rosemary Molloy
    These simple cookies are a very popular Italian treat, known as Baci di Dama or Lady Kisses. A buttery almond cookie filled with a chocolate ganache.
    5 from 5 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 14 mins
    Chilling Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 29 mins
    Course cookies, Snack
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 35 cookies
    Calories 87 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup skinned almonds or hazelnuts (144 grams)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
    • 1 cup all purpose flour (11 + protein) (130 grams)
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup butter (soft) (112 grams)
    • 1 pinch salt

    CHOCOLATE GANACHE

    • ¼ cup whole/heavy/whipping cream (60 grams)
    • 2 ounces chocolate* (milk, dark or ruby or a combination of milk and dark) (55 grams)

    *Or choose your own filling.

      Instructions
       

      • Place the skinned almonds or hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and roast in a pre-heated oven for about 6-8 minutes. Move to a clean bowl and let cool completely. 
      • In the food processor add the nuts and the sugar, blend until very finely ground. Move the mixture to a large bowl then add the the flour, vanilla, egg, butter and salt, mix with a fork until almost combined. 
      • Move the mixture to a lightly floured flat surface and knead gently to form a compact dough.  Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
      • Remove the dough from the fridge and form into small balls about 8 grams or 1/4 ounce. Make sure you don't make the cookies too big or they won't bake properly, they will remain gummy inside.
      • Pre-heat oven to 300F / 150C.
      • Place the formed balls on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate while the oven is pre-heating, about 20-30 minutes.
      • Remove the cookie sheets from the fridge and bake for approximately 12-14 minutes or until slightly golden, cool the cookies completely before filling. Spread the cooled cookies with some filling then cover with another cookie. Enjoy!

      CHOCOLATE GANACHE

      • Chop the chocolate into very small pieces and place in a bowl. Heat the cream until very hot and then pour over the chocolate, stir constantly until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Let cool and thicken. I found putting the ruby chocolate in the fridge was the best way to firm it up.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 35mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 149IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
      Keyword baci di dama cookies, Italian cookies, sandwich cookie,
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

      Today is also Taste Creations Week! Please check out these other delicious Valentine Recipes from my Food Blogger Friends.

      Terri from Our Good Life –  Small Batch Pink Strawberry Ice Cream

      Nikki from Tikkido –  Strawberry Bread Recipe

      Lauren from Mom Home Guide – Pink Strawberry Cheesecake Pie

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        1. JUDY ANDERSON says

          March 28, 2023 at 8:39 pm

          I’m not finding a baking temperature on this recipe. I see the 350 degrees for the almonds but I don’t see a baking temp. I’m going to go with 350 and see what happens but can you let me know if its a lower temp please. Thanks so much. They look great and I can’t wait to taste them!

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            March 28, 2023 at 11:11 pm

            Hi Judy, sorry about that, I added it now, it should be 300F/150C.

            Reply
        2. Lauren says

          February 2, 2021 at 5:01 am

          5 stars
          These cookies look so delicious and pretty! Pinning!

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            February 2, 2021 at 5:31 pm

            Hi Lauren, thanks so much. Take care.

            Reply

        Hi, I'm Rosemary.

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