Baci di dama (Hazelnut Kiss Cookies)
Baci di dama are delicate Italian hazelnut kiss cookies, made with finely ground hazelnuts, flour, butter and sugar, sandwiched together with melted semi-sweet chocolate. The Thermomix TM7 grinds the hazelnuts to a fine powder, mixes the crumbly dough and melts the chocolate gently, giving these Piedmontese classics their signature melt-in-the-mouth texture with minimal effort.
About this recipe
Baci di dama with the Thermomix TM7 bring the elegance of a classic Piedmontese pastry into your own kitchen with remarkable ease. These hazelnut kiss cookies, whose name means 'lady's kisses', are one of the most beloved Italian cookie recipes: two dome-shaped biscuits made from ground hazelnuts, flour, butter and sugar, sandwiched around a heart of semi-sweet chocolate. Searching for an authentic hazelnut cookies recipe that works in an all-in-one kitchen machine ends here, because the TM7 handles every step of this dessert preparation. The blades transform whole hazelnuts into a fine, flour-like powder in seconds, which is the secret behind the tender, sandy crumb that makes these cookies so irresistible. The gentle melting function then delivers silky chocolate for sandwiching without a single scorched spot. Serve these beauties with espresso at a festive table, pack them into gift boxes, or enjoy them as an afternoon snack, this cookie recipe delivers bakery-quality results every single time.
Preparation tips
- Toast the hazelnuts in a dry pan before grinding to intensify their nutty aroma, then rub off the skins with a tea towel so the baci di dama get a cleaner flavour and a lighter, more delicate crumb.
- Chill the hazelnut dough thoroughly before shaping so it stops sticking to your hands, then roll small portions between your palms into smooth domes of equal size for even baking and neat sandwich pairs.
- Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the mixing bowl and let them cool slightly before filling, so the chocolate sets firmly between the cookies; store the finished baci di dama in an airtight tin to keep them crisp.
Recipe variations
- Gluten-free version: replace the all purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and keep the toasted hazelnuts as the flavour base; the baci di dama remain beautifully crumbly and everyone can enjoy these hazelnut cookies.
- Festive variation: add a pinch of cinnamon or the grated zest of an orange to the dough and dust the finished baci di dama with icing sugar, turning these chocolate-filled cookies into a delightful Christmas treat.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- The Thermomix grinds the toasted hazelnuts into a fine flour in seconds, giving the baci di dama their signature melt-in-the-mouth texture
- Weigh the flour, sugar and butter directly in the mixing bowl with the TM7 integrated scale, saving dirty measuring cups and ensuring precise dough consistency
- The Thermomix mixes the butter, sugar and vanilla into a creamy base before the flour is added, creating an even dough without overworking it
- Gentle heating in the TM7 melts the semi-sweet chocolate chips without burning, producing a smooth filling that sets perfectly between the cookies
- The Thermomix grates or chops the sliced almonds and hazelnut toppings uniformly, so every batch of these Italian kiss cookies bakes with consistent golden colour
Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- hazelnuts
- sliced almonds
- salt
- unsalted butter
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- semi-sweet chocolate chips