If you have a sweet tooth and a love for the warmth of homemade treats, this Italian Peach Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These tender, buttery cookies are filled with luscious peach preserves and rolled in cinnamon sugar, offering a perfect blend of fruity sweetness and comforting spice. Whether for a cozy afternoon snack or a delightful addition to your dessert table, this recipe delivers a slice of Italian tradition wrapped in a delightful bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is the secret to this recipe’s charm. Each element plays a crucial role, lending texture, flavor, or aroma that will make your Italian Peach Cookies absolutely unforgettable.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt and ensures a clean, creamy base for the dough.
- Granulated sugar: This adds just the right level of sweetness and helps create that coveted light, fluffy texture.
- Large eggs: They provide structure, richness, and a lovely golden hue to the cookies.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla heightens the overall flavor with a delicate warmth.
- Almond extract: This little addition brings a subtle nutty aroma that perfectly complements the peaches.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, offering the perfect balance between tenderness and sturdiness.
- Baking powder: This helps the cookies rise lightly, creating a soft yet slightly cakey texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
- Peach preserves: The star of the show, providing juicy, fruity bursts inside every cookie.
- Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon: For the final coating, adding a delightful sweet-spicy crunch on the outside.
How to Make Italian Peach Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Start by softening the unsalted butter and then beating it together with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key because it incorporates air, giving your cookies a tender crumb. Then, add the eggs one at a time along with vanilla and almond extracts, mixing everything into a luscious, aromatic base.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning. Gradually add this dry mix into the wet ingredients to form a smooth, pliable dough. Mixing gently here helps keep the dough soft without overworking it.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Wrap your dough in plastic and pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes. This cooling step makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape when baking.
Step 4: Prepare for Baking
Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. These small steps help you achieve perfect results every time.
Step 5: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Take about a tablespoon of dough and flatten it gently in your hand. Spoon a teaspoon of the peach preserves right in the center, fold the dough over it, and carefully roll into a ball. This creates the delightful surprise of juicy peach jam inside each cookie.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange the prepared cookie balls on your baking sheet and bake them for 12 to 15 minutes. You’ll know they are ready when the bottoms turn a delicate golden shade and the kitchen fills with a heavenly aroma.
Step 7: Cinnamon Sugar Coating
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool slightly, then roll them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This adds a sweet and slightly spicy crust that elevates every bite.
How to Serve Italian Peach Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a truly charming presentation, sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the cookies just before serving. Fresh peach slices or a small mint leaf on the side can also brighten the plate and highlight the fruitiness of the peach preserves inside.
Side Dishes
These Italian Peach Cookies pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of black espresso or a light dessert wine, complementing their sweet softness and gentle spice. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes for an indulgent treat on warmer days.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies into a charming tower or arranging them in colorful serving dishes to impress guests. Wrapping a few in parchment paper tied with twine turns them into perfect gifts or party favors that capture the homemade vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh while maintaining their soft texture and that wonderful cinnamon sugar crust.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a resealable bag or airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To bring frozen cookies back to life, thaw them at room temperature and warm gently in a low oven for 5 minutes. This will refresh their soft, buttery goodness and revive the crisp cinnamon sugar coating perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use fresh peaches instead of preserves?
While fresh peaches are lovely, peach preserves provide a consistent sweetness and texture that melts perfectly inside these cookies. Fresh peaches might release too much moisture, making the dough soggy.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can skip the almond extract or substitute with a little extra vanilla extract. Almond extract adds a distinctive note, but the cookies will still be delicious without it.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for cookies with lightly golden bottoms and a set surface. They should be soft and tender, not browned on top, which means they will stay moist inside once cooled.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Try using a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. The texture might vary slightly, but the flavor will still shine.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling firms the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I hope you feel just as excited as I do to try this Italian Peach Cookies Recipe. It’s a wonderfully simple yet impressive dessert that captures the heart of Italian baking with every bite. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these cookies will bring joy and a touch of sweetness to any day. Give this recipe a go and watch everyone fall in love with their soft, fruity, cinnamon-kissed charm.
Print
Italian Peach Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Celebrate the sweetness of summer with these delightful Italian Peach Cookies. These soft, buttery cookies are filled with luscious peach preserves and finished with a fragrant cinnamon-sugar coating, offering a perfect balance of fruity filling and tender cookie goodness. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a sweet treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Cookie 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 & Coating
- 1 cup peach preserves
- Granulated sugar, for coating
- Ground cinnamon, for coating
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a smooth dough forms without overworking it.
- Chill 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 and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Shape Cookies with Filling: Take approximately 1 tablespoon of dough, flatten it in your palm, place a teaspoon of peach preserves in the center, then fold the dough over the filling and roll into a smooth ball, sealing the preserves inside.
- Bake: Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced slightly apart, and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden, indicating the cookies are cooked through.
- Coat Cookies: Allow the baked cookies to cool slightly but while warm, roll them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to add a sweet and spicy crust.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for best dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough helps with easier handling and prevents spreading during baking.
- Use high-quality peach preserves for the best flavor and texture inside the cookies.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free variation, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but expect slight texture differences.
