Italian Peach Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Italian Peach Cookies are tender, buttery treats filled with sweet peach preserves and finished with a cinnamon-sugar coating. These charming cookies offer a delightful balance of fruity sweetness and warm spice, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup peach preserves
• Yellow food coloring (optional)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Red food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix well.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
3. Step 3: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Step 5: Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it in your palm. Place a teaspoon of peach preserves in the center, fold the dough over, and roll it gently into a ball.
6. Step 6: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
7. Step 7: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar with the cinnamon. If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring to the sugar mixture. Roll the cooled cookies in the cinnamon sugar until well coated.

Tips & Variations

• Use apricot or strawberry preserves as a flavorful alternative to peach preserves.
• For a more vibrant look, add a drop of yellow food coloring to the dough before chilling.
• Be gentle when sealing the dough around the preserves to prevent leakage during baking.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving. The cinnamon sugar coating may lose some of its texture when refrigerated, so keep them at room temperature if possible.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought peach preserves for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought peach preserves work perfectly and save time. Choose a good-quality preserve for the best flavor.

How can I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Chilling the dough before shaping helps reduce spreading. Also, be sure to use measuring spoons to keep the cookie size consistent and avoid overfilling with preserves.

Italian Peach Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

Italian Peach Cookies are delightful pastry treats featuring a tender, buttery dough encasing a sweet and fruity peach preserves filling. These cookies are lightly spiced with cinnamon sugar coating for an irresistible burst of flavor and texture with every bite, making them perfect for sharing during festive occasions or enjoying with a cup of tea.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling and Topping

• 1 cup peach preserves
• Yellow food coloring (optional)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Red food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the butter and sugar mixture: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating well to incorporate all the ingredients thoroughly.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
3. Chill the dough: Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. This chilling step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and shape later.
4. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy cookie removal.
5. Shape the cookies: Take about 1 tablespoon of dough, flatten it in your palm, and place a teaspoon of peach preserves in the center. Fold the dough over the filling and roll it gently into a ball, sealing the preserves inside.
6. Arrange and bake: Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookie bottoms are lightly golden.
7. Cool the cookies: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for several minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This prevents breakage and ensures efficient cooling.
8. Apply cinnamon sugar coating: Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Optionally, add a few drops of red food coloring for a festive touch. Roll the completely cooled cookies in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated to add sweetness and a slight crunch.

Notes

• Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
• Do not overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender.
• Use high-quality peach preserves for the best flavor.
• Chilling the dough is essential to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• The addition of food coloring is optional and used mainly for aesthetic purposes.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Italian peach cookies, peach preserves cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, fruit-filled cookies, Italian desserts, homemade peach cookies