Italian Baci di Dama Cookies (Lady's Kisses)

Delight in these traditional Italian Baci di Dama cookies, featuring buttery hazelnut shortbread sandwiched with rich dark chocolate—a perfect treat for holidays or any occasion.

A delightful pile of baci di dama features light brown, almond-textured biscuits filled with rich dark chocolate. The sandwich cookies are neatly arranged, showcasing their round shapes and creamy centers.

Baci di Dama, translating to “Lady’s Kisses,” are classic Italian cookies originating from the Piedmont region. These delectable treats consist of two hazelnut-infused shortbread cookies joined by a layer of luscious dark chocolate. Their petite size and irresistible flavor make them a charming addition to any cookie assortment, especially during the holiday season.

The Piedmont region is known for growing exceptional hazelnuts and for creating gianduja or chocolate hazelnut spread. In fact, some recipes for these cookies use gianduja as the filling.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tips for Success
Recipe FAQS
More Delicious Cookie Recipes
Love This Recipe?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic Italian Flavor: Captures the traditional taste of Piedmont with toasted hazelnuts and rich dark chocolate.
Simple Ingredients: Requires only six basic components, making it accessible and straightforward.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be prepared in advance and frozen, allowing for convenient baking whenever desired.

A rustic table setting showcases a wire rack filled with baci di dama, round, cream-colored cookies with dark filling. Hazel-nuts, wooden beads, festive decorations, pine branches, and a green cloth surround the scene, crafting a cozy holiday atmosphere.

Ingredients

Raw Hazelnuts: Provide a nutty foundation and distinct flavor characteristic of Baci di Dama.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and aids in achieving a tender crumb.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structural base of the cookies, contributing to their crisp texture.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a melt-in-your-mouth quality to the shortbread.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile by balancing sweetness.
Dark Chocolate: Serves as the decadent filling that binds the two cookie halves together.

Italian Baci di Dama Cookies (Lady Kisses) | Fare Isle

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Toast the Hazelnuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread raw hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 10-15 minutes until fragrant. To remove the skins, transfer the warm nuts to a clean kitchen towel and rub them together; the skins should flake off easily.

A sack filled with hazelnuts, some with shells partially open, resembles the rustic charm of baci di dama. The coarse white cloth bag shows patches of wear and dirt, while the mix of light and dark brown nuts creates a textured, inviting appearance.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough:

In a food processor, pulse the toasted hazelnuts with granulated sugar until they achieve a sandy consistency. Add all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, and salt. Process until the mixture forms a cohesive dough.

A ball of dough, destined to become delectable baci di dama, rests on a sheet of parchment paper. Its smooth, evenly shaped form and light brown color contrast beautifully against the dark surface beneath.

Step 3: Shape and Chill

Divide the dough into small, equal portions (approximately the size of a marble) and roll them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced evenly. Refrigerate the dough balls for at least 30 minutes to help maintain their shape during baking.

A baking tray lined with parchment paper holds evenly spaced, small, round dough balls resembling baci di dama. The background is softly blurred, with colorful holiday lights and a pumpkin visible.

Step 4: Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) if not already done. Bake the chilled dough balls for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.

A wire rack filled with uniform, round baci di dama cools on a dark wooden surface near a white sink. The cookies are evenly spaced, suggesting they were freshly baked and placed to cool.

Step 5: Prepare the Chocolate Filling

Melt dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (double boiler method) or in the microwave in short bursts. Let the melted chocolate cool slightly until it begins to thicken but is still spreadable.

A bowl of melted chocolate with a skewer rests on a rustic table, surrounded by baci di dama, a red candle, and two glasses of white wine. A red apple sits nearby, creating a cozy and inviting scene.

Step 6: Assemble the Cookies

Pair the cooled cookies by size. Place a small dollop of melted chocolate on the flat side of one cookie and gently press its pair on top to form a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies. Allow the chocolate to set completely before serving or storing.

Small round baci di dama with a chocolate filling are displayed on a wire rack. The cookies are arranged in rows, and a few glasses of wine are visible in the background, with a rustic table setting including a textured cloth.

Tips for Success

Consistent Sizing: Ensure uniform dough ball sizes for even baking and a polished appearance.
Chocolate Setting: Wait until the melted chocolate begins to thicken before assembling to prevent it from being too runny.
Storage: Store assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Recipe FAQS

Can I use almond flour instead of hazelnuts?

Yes, almond flour can be substituted for hazelnuts to create a different flavor profile, though traditional Baci di Dama are made with hazelnuts.

Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?

Substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or rice flour can yield a gluten-free version of these cookies.

These Italian Baci di Dama cookies offer a delightful combination of nutty hazelnut shortbread and rich dark chocolate, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Their elegant appearance and delectable taste are sure to impress, whether you’re adding them to a holiday cookie tray or enjoying them with a cup of coffee.

A pile of baci di dama sandwich cookies with a dark chocolate filling nestled between two light-colored halves sits elegantly on a table, framed by a blurred background. These delightful treats boast a crumbly texture.

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a star rating of the recipe and let me know what you think in a comment below. This small act is a great way to show your support for the food blogs you read and love.

Tag @fareisle in your photos on Instagram with #fareisle so I can see your creations!