🍑 Italian Peach Cookies (Pesche Dolci)

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🧾 Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour

• 2 large eggs

• 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Zest of 1 lemon

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For the Filling

• 1 cup pastry cream (or Nutella, custard, or jam)

• Optional: a splash of rum or liqueur for flavor

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For Decoration

• 1/2 cup milk or peach juice (for dipping)

• Red and yellow food coloring

• 1 cup granulated sugar (for coating)

• Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

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🔥 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until light and slightly fluffy.
Add milk, oil (or butter), vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix well.

In another bowl, combine flour and baking powder.
Gradually add dry ingredients into wet mixture until a soft dough forms.

Cover and let rest for 15–20 minutes.

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Step 2: Shape the Cookies

Roll the dough into small balls (about 2–3 cm).
Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden (not too brown).

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Step 3: Hollow the Centers

Let cookies cool slightly.
Use a small knife or spoon to gently hollow the flat side of each cookie.

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Step 4: Fill and Assemble

Fill each half with pastry cream (or your chosen filling).
Press two halves together to form a “peach.”

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Step 5: Color and Coat

• Mix milk with a few drops of red and yellow food coloring

• Lightly dip each cookie into the colored liquid

• Roll in granulated sugar until fully coated

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Step 6: Final Touch

Decorate with a small mint leaf to resemble a real peach.

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💡 Professional Tips

• Do not overbake → cookies should stay soft and cake-like

• Use a piping bag for clean filling

• For authentic flavor, add a bit of peach liqueur or rum

• Let cookies rest a few hours → texture becomes softer and more flavorful

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🔥 Texture & Flavor

• Soft, tender cookie shell

• Creamy, rich filling inside

• Sweet sugar coating with slight citrus aroma