Italian Bocconotti Cookies

Italians love their coffee and cookies. A Biscotti, Bocconotti, or Pignoli Cookie is the perfect treat to sit and eat while sipping an espresso or cappuccino. Bocconotti, is a word that literally means “small bites”. It’s the perfect accompaniment for coffee or tea because it's just the right size and not overly sweet. 

These little treats are made in many parts of Italy but people say they originated in the Apulia region of Southern Italy. They are traditionally cup like cookies filled with jams or preserves, coco and ground nuts, which are covered with dough so they look like little pies. The ingredients are simple as with most Italian recipes.

I start by placing all of my dough ingredients in my electric mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix until it forms a wet dough. This can also be done in a bowl with a pastry blender or fork. I then press the dough into a ball and cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator while I mix up my filling.

For the filling I like to use grape, cherry or strawberry jam with a mixture of ground almonds and chocolate.

Once my filling and dough is ready I’m ready to make the cups. I use my moms little tartlet cups to make them but they can also be made in a mini muffin tin. I see these cookies as a real labor of love because each one is tenderly rolled, pressed, filled and then topped to create a hand made little pie cookie that is just beautiful.

When they come out of the oven I like to let them cool a minute or two before I remove them from the cups. Then they are ready for a dusting of powered sugar.

If you want a taste of La Dolce Vita make a batch of these cookies today.