If you’re looking for a delightfully tender and fruity treat, this Italian Peach Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delicate cookies capture the sweet essence of ripe peaches wrapped in a soft, buttery dough and finished with a delightful cinnamon-sugar coating that simply melts in your mouth. Loved for their melt-away texture and deliciously fruity center, these cookies are a wonderful way to bring a bit of Italian-inspired charm to your kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet and nostalgic, this Italian Peach Cookies Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this Italian Peach Cookies Recipe is how it relies on simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create something truly extraordinary. Each item plays a key role: butter and sugar give the dough richness and sweetness, eggs and extracts add depth of flavor, while the flour and baking powder provide the perfect texture. And of course, the peach preserves bring that vibrant, fruity surprise inside every bite.
- 1 cup unsalted butter: Softened butter adds richness and a tender crumb, so be sure it’s at room temperature for best results.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: This provides the ideal sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy dough texture.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs bind the cookies together and add moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that complements the fruity filling beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon almond extract: Adds a lovely warm, nutty undertone that pairs perfectly with the peach preserves.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the dough giving it structure and softness.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a light texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness to enhance all the flavors.
- 1 cup peach preserves: The star ingredient offering juicy sweetness and a delightful surprise in each cookie.
- Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for coating: This finishing touch adds a sparkly sweetness with a hint of warmth and depth.
How to Make Italian Peach Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by softening your butter and then beating it together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important for creating a tender and airy dough that melts in your mouth. Once creamy, beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture is smooth and aromatic. You’ll notice how the almond extract adds a cozy, nutty fragrance right away.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed before adding them to the wet mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing. The dough should come together smoothly without being sticky.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, which makes shaping the cookies easier. It also helps the flavors meld beautifully, making the final cookies taste even better.
Step 4: Prepare to Bake
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze. Having everything prepped now means you can move smoothly on to shaping the cookies once the dough is ready.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Take about 1 tablespoon of the chilled dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place a teaspoon of peach preserves in the center, then carefully fold the dough over the preserves and gently roll it into a smooth ball, making sure the filling is completely enclosed. This step is like wrapping a little peach-flavored treasure inside each cookie!
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Arrange the shaped dough balls on your prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. You’ll want to bake until the bottoms are a lovely light golden color. The tops should remain pale and soft, preserving that tender texture.
Step 7: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Let the cookies cool for a few minutes so they’re warm but not hot. Then gently roll each one in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon. This coating adds a wonderful sparkle and that classic cinnamon warmth that makes these cookies so irresistible. After coating, let them cool completely before serving.
How to Serve Italian Peach Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are delightful on their own, but you can dress them up with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of melted white chocolate for an elegant touch. Fresh peach slices or a sprig of mint on the side make a beautiful garnish that also hints at the flavors inside.
Side Dishes
Serve Italian Peach Cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the sweetness. They’re also fabulous alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee, tea, or even a fruity white wine if you’re feeling festive. The contrast between the creamy side and the crisp cookie is pure bliss.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special gathering, arrange these cookies on a decorative platter with fresh peaches and edible flowers scattered around. You can also place a cookie between two small scoopfuls of ice cream for a peach-inspired ice cream sandwich. Another fun idea is stacking them with layers of mascarpone cheese and peach slices for an Italian-themed dessert tower.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Italian Peach Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Make sure they have fully cooled before storing to keep the texture just right. The cookies remain tender with a slightly crisp coating, perfect for enjoying anytime.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for longer storage. After they have cooled and been coated in cinnamon sugar, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. When you want to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature for a soft, fresh-baked experience.
Reheating
If you want to warm the cookies after freezing or storage, simply pop them in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 5 minutes. This little touch revives that fresh-baked softness and the cinnamon-sugar coating shines even more when slightly warmed.
FAQs
Can I substitute peach preserves with another fruit?
Absolutely! While peach preserves provide the signature flavor for this Italian Peach Cookies Recipe, you can swap in apricot, raspberry, or even cherry preserves for a different but equally delicious twist.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to handle and shape. It also helps the flavors meld, resulting in a more flavorful cookie and preventing the peach preserves from leaking out during baking.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup in place of regular flour. Just ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well for best results.
How sweet are these cookies?
These cookies have a balanced sweetness thanks to the sugar in the dough and the natural sweetness of the peach preserves, complemented by the cinnamon-sugar coating. They’re not overly sweet, making them perfect for an afternoon treat.
Can I make smaller or bigger cookies?
Definitely! Just adjust the baking time accordingly—smaller cookies will bake faster, and larger ones will need more time. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking and maintain that tender texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a cookie that’s bursting with bright fruit flavor yet soft and tender to the bite, this Italian Peach Cookies Recipe should definitely find a place in your baking repertoire. It’s comforting, charming, and impressively simple to make, perfect for sharing or treating yourself any day of the week. Once you try these, you’ll be making them over and over with joy!
Print
Italian Peach Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes plus 30 minutes chilling
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Italian Peach Cookies are delightful soft cookies filled with sweet peach preserves, infused with vanilla and almond extracts, and coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Perfect for a fruity and aromatic treat, they offer a wonderful balance of buttery richness and fruity sweetness in every bite.
Ingredients
Dough
- 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 Coating
- 1 cup peach preserves
- Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for coating (approx. 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon mixed)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Then add the vanilla extract and almond extract, mixing thoroughly for a fragrant dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing at low speed until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which ensures a tender cookie.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle and shape.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough, flatten it in your palm, then place a teaspoon of peach preserves in the center. Fold the dough over the filling and gently roll it into a ball, sealing the preserves inside.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the cookies on baking sheets spaced apart and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms turn lightly golden but the tops remain soft.
- Coat Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool slightly for a few minutes so they are warm but not hot. Roll them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to coat thoroughly.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely to set the coating and preserve the texture.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for better mixing and texture.
- For a more intense almond flavor, you can add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract if desired.
- Peach preserves can be substituted with apricot or any other fruit preserves for variation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
