Baci di Dama — hazelnut sandwich cookies
Baci di dama — "lady's kisses" — are tiny Piedmontese cookies: two domed hazelnut shortbread halves sandwiched with melted chocolate. They are the size of a thimble each, eaten in a single bite.
i. Origin & history
Baci di dama come from Tortona in Piedmont, where the local hazelnut industry (the prized Tonda Gentile delle Langhe) shaped the local pastry tradition. The cookies date to the 19th century and remain a Piedmontese specialty.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 24 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 200 g blanched hazelnuts
- 200 g plain flour
- 200 g unsalted butter, soft
- 160 g caster sugar
- Pinch salt
- 100 g dark chocolate
iii. Method
- Toast hazelnuts at 170 °C for 8 min until fragrant. Cool. Grind finely.
- Cream butter and sugar; mix in ground hazelnuts, flour and salt to a soft dough.
- Roll into hazelnut-sized balls (about 6 g each). Place on lined trays.
- Bake at 170 °C for 12-14 min until pale gold — don't brown. Cool.
- Melt chocolate. Pair the cookies by similar size. Dab a small amount of chocolate on the flat side of one; press the matching dome onto it. Cool to set.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Baci di dama al cioccolato use chocolate cookies. Almond baci substitute almonds for hazelnuts. Modern variations include matcha, salted caramel, or Nutella centres.
vi. Common questions
What is baci di dama?
Baci di Dama is hazelnut sandwich cookies, from italian cuisine. They are the size of a thimble each, eaten in a single bite
Where is baci di dama from?
Baci di Dama is from the italian dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does baci di dama keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 2 weeks airtight.