Description
Baci di Dama, meaning “lady’s kisses” in Italian, are delicate hazelnut sandwich cookies filled with rich dark chocolate. These traditional Italian treats combine the nutty flavor of toasted hazelnuts with a buttery, tender cookie base, perfectly complemented by a luscious chocolate center. Ideal for dessert or an elegant snack, these cookies are easy to make and guarantee a delightful bite every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (120g) hazelnut flour or finely ground toasted hazelnuts
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 4 oz (about ½ cup) dark chocolate, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the dough. In a food processor or large mixing bowl, combine the hazelnut flour, all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse or mix with your hands until the mixture forms a smooth dough ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat and shape cookies. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into small balls approximately ½ inch in diameter and place them on the baking sheet, spacing each about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the cookies. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the undersides are just lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet to ensure they firm up properly.
- Melt the chocolate. While the cookies cool, melt the finely chopped dark chocolate using a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring frequently, or melt it gently over a double boiler until smooth.
- Assemble the sandwich cookies. Once the cookies have fully cooled, spread a small amount of melted chocolate on the flat side of one cookie, then gently press it against the flat side of another cookie to create a sandwich. Repeat this process with remaining cookies.
- Set and serve. Allow the chocolate filling to set completely at room temperature before serving. Store the finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
- “Baci di Dama” translates to “lady’s kisses,” referring to the pairing of two cookies joined by a chocolate center.
- Use toasted hazelnuts ground finely if you can’t find hazelnut flour for a more intense flavor.
- Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to preserve freshness and texture.
- For a shiny chocolate finish, temper the chocolate before spreading.
