Welcome to an amazing collection of cookie recipes—a sweet celebration of tradition, flavor, and homemade goodness. Here you’ll find a variety of cookies, from classic Italian favorites like old school Biscotti and Amaretti to festive treats. You’ll also find family treasures passed down through generations. Each recipe crafted with love and designed to bring warmth, smiles, and nostalgia. Each cookie recipe has just the right amount of sweetness, crunch or chew to make this happen. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special occasion, or simply to satisfy a craving, these cookies are sure to delight and inspire.
Biscotti Regina (Sesame Cookies)
Biscotti Regina, also known as Regina Cookies or Queen’s Biscuits, have their origins in Sicily and are a classic example of the island’s rich culinary heritage influenced by Arab, Greek, and Spanish cultures. These distinctive cookies are coated in sesame seeds, giving them a nutty, toasty flavor and a satisfying crunch. The name “Regina,” meaning “queen” in Italian, suggests that…
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Italian pistachio biscotti
Italian pistachio biscotti trace their origins to the traditional cantucci or biscotti di Prato from the Tuscany region, which were originally made with almonds. Over time, variations emerged across Italy, incorporating regional ingredients like pistachios, especially in Sicily, where pistachios are a prized local crop. Bronte, a small town in Sicily, is particularly famous for its high-quality pistachios, often called…
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Pizzicati Pinch Cookies
Pizzicati, also known as Italian pinch cookies, originate from Central and Southern Italy and are cherished for their delicate texture and charming shape. Their name, “Pizzicati,” which means “pinched” in Italian, comes from the way the dough is gently pinched in the center to reveal a peek of the sweet filling—often jam, chocolate, or sweetened ricotta. These cookies are believed…
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Paste di meliga
Paste di Meliga are traditional cornmeal cookies from the Piedmont region of northern Italy, particularly popular in the provinces of Cuneo and Turin. Their origins date back to rural times when wheat flour was scarce, and locals began incorporating finely ground cornmeal—meliga in the regional dialect—into their baking. This clever adaptation resulted in cookies with a unique crumbly texture and…
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Florentine cookies
Florentine cookies, despite their name, are believed to have originated not in Florence, Italy, but likely in France, possibly created by pastry chefs working in the kitchens of the Medici family during their influence in French courts. These delicate, lacy cookies are made from a mixture of finely chopped nuts—often almonds or hazelnuts—candied fruit, and caramelized sugar or honey, then…
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Fava dei morti
Fave dei Morti—literally “broad beans of the dead”—are small almond cookies traditionally baked across Italy around All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Their name and shape echo ancient rituals: roasted fava beans were offered to the dead in ancient Rome and believed to carry the souls of ancestors. Over centuries, the practice evolved into sweet, bean-shaped biscuits made with…
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Macaroons
Macaroons have a long and layered history that dates back to 8th or 9th century Italy, with their origins commonly linked to Venetian monasteries. The word “macaroon” comes from the Italian maccarone or maccherone, meaning a paste—specifically referring to the almond paste used as the cookie’s base. These early Italian macaroons were simple confections made with ground almonds, sugar, and…
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Ladyfingers
Ladyfingers, also known as boudoirs in French or savoiardi in Italian, have their origins in the late 15th century at the court of the Duchy of Savoy in what is now northwestern Italy. They were created to celebrate a visit from the French king, and their elegant, finger-like shape and delicate texture quickly made them a favorite among European aristocracy….
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Canestrelli
Canestrelli are delicate, flower-shaped shortbread cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar, originating from Northern Italy, particularly the regions of Liguria and Piedmont. Their name comes from canestro, meaning “basket” in Italian, a nod to the woven baskets in which these cookies were traditionally carried or displayed during festivals and celebrations. Canestrelli date back to medieval times and were often…
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Chocolate Hazelnut (Baci di Dama)
Baci di Dama, which means “lady’s kisses” in Italian, are charming chocolate hazelnut cookies that originated in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Dating back to the 19th century, these delicate treats were created by local bakers who combined two simple, buttery hazelnut cookies with a rich layer of dark chocolate, symbolizing a sweet kiss between the two halves. Piedmont…
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