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Italian Peach Cookies


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  • Author: Ava
  • Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes (including chilling)
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Italian Peach Cookies, or ‘Pesche Dolci,’ are soft, cake-like cookies filled with cream or jam, dipped in colorful syrup, and coated in sugar to resemble real peaches. Traditionally served at celebrations, they are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.


Ingredients

  1. 3 cups all-purpose flour
  2. 1 tbsp baking powder
  3. 1/4 tsp salt
  4. 3 large eggs
  5. 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  6. 1/2 cup whole milk
  7. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  8. 1 tsp vanilla extract
  9. 1 cup peach or apricot jam (for filling)
  10. 1/2 cup pastry cream or sweetened ricotta (optional, for filling)
  11. 1/2 cup peach liqueur or Alchermes (for dipping)
  12. 1/2 cup water (for syrup)
  13. Red and yellow food coloring
  14. 1 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  15. Fresh mint leaves or whole cloves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
  5. Roll dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place on the baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
  7. Using a small knife or spoon, carefully hollow out the flat side of each cookie to create space for filling.
  8. Mix jam and pastry cream (if using), and fill each hollowed-out cookie half with the mixture. Press two halves together to form a peach shape.
  9. In a bowl, mix water with peach liqueur or Alchermes and add a few drops of red and yellow food coloring to achieve a peachy hue.
  10. Dip each cookie in the syrup briefly, then roll in granulated sugar to coat.
  11. Place cookies on a tray to dry slightly. Garnish with mint leaves or cloves if desired.
  12. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

  1. You can prepare the cookies a day in advance for better flavor.
  2. Adjust the food coloring to get your desired peach color intensity.
  3. If you don’t want to use alcohol, substitute with peach juice or flavored syrup.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 140
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 45mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg