A classic Italian cookie that looks like a small peach and tastes sweet, buttery, and fruity.
Italian Peach Cookies — also called “Pesche Dolci” — are soft, sweet cookies made with a tender dough and filled with peach jam. After baking, they’re rolled in sugar and colored to look like tiny peaches. They’re perfect for parties, dessert tables, or a special treat with coffee or tea.
🧁 Ingredients
For the 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 teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch of salt
For the Filling
- ½ to 1 cup peach jam or peach preserves
For the Coating
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Yellow and red food coloring (optional for peach coloring)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take a few minutes and makes the cookies tender and rich.
2. Add Eggs and Flavorings
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts. The mixture will be smooth and fragrant.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until you have a soft dough. The dough should be slightly firm but easy to shape.
4. Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Cooling the dough makes shaping easier and helps the cookies hold their form while baking.
5. Portion and Fill
Take a small piece of dough (about a tablespoon) and flatten it in your hand. Place a small spoonful of peach jam in the center. Fold the edges up around the jam and roll gently to form a smooth ball. Make sure the jam is completely enclosed by dough.
6. Bake the Cookies
Place the cookie balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each cookie. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are just golden. The tops stay soft.
7. Cool Before Coating
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling them first ensures the sugar coating sticks properly.
8. Prepare the Sugar Coating
Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. If you want the cookies to look like peaches, divide the sugar between two bowls and add a few drops of yellow food coloring to one and red food coloring to the other.
9. Roll the Cookies
Gently roll each cooled cookie in the colored sugar mixture, using yellow first and then lightly brushing with red to give a peach-like appearance. The sugar should cling to the cookie and create a bright, fruity look.
🍯 Tips for Best Results
- Chilling the dough first makes shaping easier and prevents spreading during baking.
- Use good quality peach jam for the best flavor.
- Adjust the food coloring slowly — peach colors are gentle, not bright red.
🍽️ Serving & Storage
Serve these cookies with coffee, tea, or dessert after dinner. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or refrigerated if you want them softer.
Italian Peach Cookies are charming, beautiful, and delicious — perfect for sharing or gifting. Enjoy! 🍪
🍑 A Cookie Inspired by Italian Celebrations
Italian Peach Cookies are more than just a dessert — they are a symbol of celebration and hospitality. Traditionally prepared for weddings, holidays, and family gatherings, these cookies are often arranged beautifully on large platters to impress guests. Their realistic peach appearance makes them a centerpiece dessert that immediately catches the eye before the first bite is even taken.
🌸 Texture and Flavor Experience
What makes Italian Peach Cookies so special is the contrast between textures. The outer cookie is soft and tender, with a light crumb that melts in your mouth, while the peach jam filling adds a sweet, fruity burst of flavor. The sugar coating gives a delicate crunch that balances the softness of the cookie, creating a perfectly layered dessert experience.
🎨 A Fun and Creative Baking Project
These cookies are also a joy to make, especially if you enjoy hands-on baking. Shaping, filling, and coloring the cookies allows room for creativity, making them a wonderful project to prepare with family or friends. Each cookie becomes slightly unique, adding to their homemade charm and artisanal look.
🍑 Variations and Custom Touches
While peach jam is the classic filling, Italian Peach Cookies are very versatile. They can be filled with apricot jam, pastry cream, chocolate cream, or even a nut-based filling. Some bakers add citrus zest to the dough for extra aroma, while others lightly brush the cookies with juice or syrup before rolling them in sugar for deeper color and flavor.
☕ Perfect for Any Occasion
These cookies pair beautifully with espresso, cappuccino, or afternoon tea. They are elegant enough for special occasions yet comforting enough for everyday enjoyment. Their balanced sweetness makes them appealing to both adults and children, and they are often one of the first desserts to disappear from the table.
🎁 Ideal for Gifting
Italian Peach Cookies also make a thoughtful homemade gift. Packed in decorative boxes or clear bags, they are perfect for holidays, birthdays, or thank-you gifts. Their colorful appearance and traditional roots give them a personal, heartfelt touch that store-bought desserts can’t match.