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Sweet Tuscan Treats

Featured in Sweet Treats for Every Occasion.

These soft, peach-inspired confections are made from delicate pastries stuffed with creamy filling. A quick dip in Alchermes gives them a signature red color and fruity look.

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Seram Rezepte
Updated on Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:49:56 GMT
Peach-inspired sugar-dusted desserts with mint leaf garnish. Pin it
Peach-inspired sugar-dusted desserts with mint leaf garnish. | recipesbytina.com

Grandmother's Hidden Italian Cookie Masterpiece

I first encountered these charming peach-shaped treats during a visit to my Italian neighbor's home back in the day. She shared this beloved family creation with me, and it's become my go-to since then. The way these soft cookies transform into miniature peaches feels almost magical - they're practically edible sculptures. I love watching guests' faces light up when they spot them on my dessert spread - it makes every minute of preparation totally worthwhile.

A Sweet Taste of Italian Heritage

My friend told me these cookies play an important role in Italian festivities when she taught me how to make them. The Alchermes liqueur creates that gorgeous pink hue I've come to love, while the creamy filling makes them completely tempting. My little girl always says they're almost too beautiful to gobble up, but that doesn't stop her from always asking for another one.

Your Ingredient List

  • Flour: Pick all-purpose with 11% protein content or higher for good structure.
  • Butter: Make sure it's room temperature for that rich, buttery goodness.
  • Egg: One large egg at room temperature will bind everything together.
  • Lemon Zest: Gives a bright citrus note to the mix.
  • Alchermes Liqueur: This classic Italian drink adds flavor and color. You can swap in Campari or peach schnapps with a drop of red food coloring.
  • Pastry Cream: Italian Vanilla or Lemon versions work perfectly for the filling.
  • Milk: Either whole or 2% helps create the right dough softness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings out sweetness and adds flavor complexity.

Creating Your Edible Gems

Start With Cream
Get your pastry cream ready and cool it in the fridge at least 2 hours before you start on the cookies.
Create Your Dough
Mix your flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, butter, lemon zest, egg, and vanilla together. Slowly pour in milk until you get a soft dough that's a bit sticky.
Form and Bake
Roll the dough into 16 same-sized balls using hands dusted with flour or a cookie scoop. Pop them in a 350°F oven until golden, then let them cool slightly.
Scoop and Fill
Cut little pockets in each cookie and put pastry cream inside. Match them up in pairs to look like peaches.
Give Them Color
Dunk the cookies quickly in Alchermes liqueur, let extra drip away, then roll in sugar. Chill them for an hour.
Ready to Enjoy
Add mint leaves as decoration and serve when they've warmed to room temperature.
A close-up of three sugar-coated peach-shaped candies, garnished with green mint leaves, on a white serving dish. Pin it
A close-up of three sugar-coated peach-shaped candies, garnished with green mint leaves, on a white serving dish. | recipesbytina.com

Storage Tips

I've figured out these little treats need some TLC. After filling, store them in your fridge but always let them warm up before serving for the tastiest results. If you're planning for later, make the cookie shells without filling and they'll stay good for a few days. Sometimes I'll freeze a bunch of unfilled cookies then just thaw and add cream when company's coming over.

Cookies That Create Memories

These Italian Peach Cookies aren't just sweet treats, they're tiny art pieces that bring happiness to any party. From holiday get-togethers to birthdays or just because, they always make folks grin from ear to ear. Whenever I bake them, my thoughts drift to my wonderful neighbor and how this simple treat built such a meaningful connection between our families.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What are good alternatives to Alchermes?

Try Red Campari, peach schnapps, or peach liqueur with red food dye. The red tint and slightly sweet-spiced flavor are important to match the tradition.

→ How long can you store them?

If filled, they'll last 1-2 days chilled. Plain cookies keep 2-3 days at room temperature, or up to 6 days refrigerated. Freeze unfilled cookies for 3 months.

→ Why is resting after dipping necessary?

A quick 30-second rest after dipping stops sugar from sticking unevenly. This helps give a smooth, even sugar coating.

→ Can the cream filling be made ahead?

Sure! Chill it in advance, since it takes 2-3 hours. The extra cream keeps fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.

→ What’s the ideal flour for these cookies?

Go with all-purpose flour that has at least 11% protein. It gives the cookies the perfect structure for holding the filling.

Tuscan Peach Treats

Soft cookie pastries shaped like peaches, filled with creamy goodness, and soaked in Alchermes for a vibrant taste and appearance.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 8 Servings (8 cookie sandwiches)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 large egg, at room temperature.
02 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened.
03 1¼ teaspoons baking powder.
04 A pinch of salt (use 1/4 teaspoon if butter is unsalted).
05 Zest from half a lemon.
06 1¾ cups plus 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour (with at least 11% protein).
07 1/4 cup and one tablespoon granulated sugar.
08 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
09 3 tablespoons whole or 2% milk, brought to room temperature.
10 1/2 cup Alchermes liqueur.
11 1/4 cup sugar for rolling the cookies.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line your baking pans with parchment. Make your pastry cream ahead of time and allow it to chill for 2-3 hours.

Step 02

In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, butter, vanilla, and egg. Slowly pour in milk until the dough is smooth but slightly sticky.

Step 03

Dust your hands with a little flour. Roll the dough into 16 evenly sized balls and space them about an inch apart on the lined pans.

Step 04

Pop them into the oven and bake for around 15–20 minutes. Take them out when they’re golden brown.

Step 05

Once the cookies cool down a bit, carefully carve small hollows into their centers.

Step 06

Let the cookies cool completely. Fill the holes you made with pastry cream and gently press two cookies together to make sandwiches.

Step 07

Dip each sandwich into Alchermes and give it about 30 seconds to soak. Then roll them in sugar. Pop them in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes to set.

Step 08

Add a fresh mint leaf on top as a garnish before serving.

Notes

  1. Plan ahead! Pastry cream needs a couple of hours to chill.
  2. If you don't have Alchermes, use Red Campari or peach liqueur and a drop of food coloring.
  3. The filled sandwiches need to be refrigerated and last for 1–2 days.
  4. Freeze unfilled cookie shells for up to three months.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer (stand or handheld).
  • Parchment-lined baking pans.
  • Sharp blade or small knife.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (milk and butter).
  • Includes eggs.
  • Uses wheat flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 169
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
  • Protein: 1 g