Description
These Crispy Pine Nut Cookies are buttery, golden, and delicately sweet with a rich toasted pine nut flavor. Perfect for holidays, coffee gatherings, or homemade gifts, these Mediterranean-inspired cookies feature a crisp exterior and tender center. Simple ingredients and careful baking create an elegant treat that stays fresh for days and fills your kitchen with warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (100 g) pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (if needed for texture)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Toast pine nuts in a dry pan over low heat for 3–4 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool.
- Cream softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
- If dough feels too firm, add 1–2 tablespoons milk to adjust texture.
- Fold most of the toasted pine nuts into the dough, reserving some for topping.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes to prevent spreading.
- Roll dough into small balls, place on baking tray, gently flatten, and press remaining pine nuts on top.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges turn golden. Cool on tray before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Chilling the dough helps maintain shape and texture. Do not overbake to keep the center tender. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can freeze the dough for up to 2 months and bake fresh when needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg