Pizzicati Italian Cookies, a delicious crunchy Cookie Recipe. Traditionally filled with your favorite Jam or why not a little Nutella? These simple, buttery cookies make the perfect snack or even dessert.
Pizzicati Italian Cookies
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. And after some searching I discovered they were called Pizzicati, also known as Bow Tie Cookies or Envelope Cookies.
How to make Pizzicati
- It is a basic pastry dough (pasta frolla).
- That is rolled and then cut into rounds.
- You can roll the dough very thin or a little thicker.
- Then a small teaspoonful of your favourite jam is placed in the middle of the circle.
- Then you take the the middle ends and pinch them together.
- Pizzicati translates to Pinched! Hence the name Biscotti Pizzicati.
How to keep the dough from opening while baking
- What has always worked for me is wetting the two pinching fingers before pinching the dough.
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.
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 on the internet,
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
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
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.
Thick Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
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.
One Bowl Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
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 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!
So I hope you get inspired for baking up a cookie or two or even giving these Italian Pinch Cookies a try. Enjoy!
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1/2 tablespoon + 2 tablespoons icing / powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup jam (of choice, a thick jam is the best or even Nutella)
In a large bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, sugar and baking powder, make a well in the centre and add the egg and butter combine with a fork until mixture starts to come together.
Move to a lightly floured flat surface and knead until you have a soft smooth dough (if too sticky then add a little extra flour).
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C) and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Roll half the dough at a time on a floured flat surface until the thinness of a pie crust (a little thicker if you desire) cut out with a small (2 1/4 - 2 1/2 inches / 6 centimeter) cookie cutter.
Place a teaspoon of jam in the middle of the circle and take the two ends and pinch them together, dip fingers in a little water to make sure that the dough sticks and doesn't open while baking. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheets and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely then dust with a little icing / powdered sugar. Enjoy.
Betsy says
I was in Sienna and had a delicious cookie which was labeled Pasta Frolla. One had chocolate pieces and the other had orange zest. They were delicios! But, is this the same recipe as the basic sweet pastry dough you show here? This cookie was the perfect combination of a shortbread cookie and a soft sugar cookie. They were also very thick, about 1/2 inch. I tried a pasta Frolla recipe and it was not as sweet or buttery as the cookies we had – so I’m thinking there may be two different types of recipes.
Rosemary says
Hi Betsy, these cookies are quite buttery but I am thinking that you may be talking about an Italian Butter Cookie, which unfortunately I can’t share because it’s a recipe in my book. But I have to say my cousin who is a wonderful baker and was my recipe tester said they were one of the best cookies she has ever eaten. But if you want give these a try and see how they are. 🙂
Betsy says
Thank you for your quick response! I will check it out!
Claire says
These just look like little bites of perfection.
I am certain my children are going to love these!!!
And the list on dishes that aren’t Italian is so interesting. I didn’t realise that Cioppino wasn’t italian!!!
Rosemary says
Hi Claire, thanks so much, hope the kids enjoy them. I am glad you liked the non Italian Italian dishes. Have a great Sunday.
Dini says
These look so cute and delicious! One of my favorite tea-time snacks is jam filled thumbprint cookies and these look even better! And I love the idea of a Nutella filling! 🙂 Thanks so much for this authentic recipe!
Rosemary says
Hi Dini, thanks so much, I hope you enjoy them. Have a wonderful weekend.