Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Baci di Dama
Meaning 'Lady's Kisses'. Elegant bite-sized cookies from Piedmont made with toasted hazelnuts, sandwiched together with a layer of dark chocolate.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 120 min
- Servings
- 20
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 20 servings
- whole hazelnuts (toasted and peeled)
- all-purpose flour
- unsalted butter (room temperature)
- granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- high-quality dark chocolate (for filling)
Equipment
- Food processor
- Baking sheet
Instructions
- 1
Grind Hazelnuts
In a food processor, pulse the toasted hazelnuts with the sugar until they form a fine powder. (The sugar prevents the nuts from turning into butter).
- 2
Make Dough
Add the flour and salt to the processor. Add the soft butter and pulse until a dough forms.
- 3
Chill Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the butter firms up.
- 4
Shape
Roll small pieces of dough into perfectly round balls (about the size of a large marble, 8-10 grams each). Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- 5
Chill Again
Crucial step: chill the rolled balls in the fridge for another 30 minutes. If you bake them warm, they will melt into flat puddles instead of staying round.
- 6
Bake
Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 12-15 minutes until just barely golden. They will flatten slightly on the bottom to form perfect domes.
- 7
Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool entirely on the baking sheet. They are very fragile while warm.
- 8
Melt Chocolate
Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave. Let it cool slightly so it isn't too runny.
- 9
Assemble
Place a small dollop of melted chocolate on the flat side of one cookie. Press the flat side of a second cookie against it to form a 'kiss'.
- 10
Set
Let the chocolate set completely at room temperature before serving.
Cooking Tips
- The ratio is classically 1:1:1:1 by weight (equal parts hazelnuts, flour, butter, and sugar).
- Temperature control is the secret. The dough must go into the oven cold to maintain its characteristic dome shape.
Variations
- Almond Baci: Substitute toasted almonds for the hazelnuts (more common in other regions of Italy).
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Created in the city of Tortona in Piedmont, the region famous for the world's best hazelnuts.
Nutrition Estimate
120 calories · 1g protein · 10g carbs · 8g fat · 1g fiber per serving
