Pignoli Cookies (Italian Pine Nut Cookies)

These are a traditional Italian Christmas cookie, that are chewy, almondy and delicious! We always have a bunch of these cookies on hand around the holidays in my family. **Please note, that the dough will be very sticky and a lil bit of a pain to work with, but they end up being so worth the effort. Adding flour to this dough changes the texture of them somewhat, so I never add it, but that's a personal choice :) These cookies end result are just like I had them as a little girl, and are my absolute favorite!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  lb  canned almond paste
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 3  large  egg whites
• 2  cups pine nuts
• 1  cup powdered sugar (just a guess, for dusting)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper (or just lightly grease them).
2. Crumble the almond paste into a mixing bowl and beat with handheld mixer until crumbled fine.
3. Sprinkle the sugar over the almond paste while continuing to beat, until the sugar is incorporated.
4. Beat in the egg whites, one at a time and continue beating until the dough is smooth.
5. Spread the pine nuts out on a plate.
6. Roll 1 tablespoon of the dough at a time, into a ball between your palms, and then roll it in the pine nuts to coat on all sides.
7. Transfer to the prepared cookie sheets and press them lightly to flatten slightly and to help the nuts adhere to the cookies.
8. Bake the cookies until they are lightly browned ans soft and springy, about 15 minutes.
9. Cool completely on wire racks, and dust liberally with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!