Kisses and hugs all ’round for the New Year! Somehow, the old-fashioned usage of “ed” in Italian between baci and abbracci has stuck with me. I like it. I like knowing something old from days before email and texting. Now, people just use baci e abbracci. … Then there is Küßen – kisses in German. I also like the ß – the Eszett – which take the place of a double S. It isn’t used much any longer, but I still use it. I see using these grammatical devices as me embracing my inner old codger. (Hmmm… maybe my “old codger” isn’t too “inner” any longer.)
But why all this talk about kisses? It is because today’s recipe is for Baci di Dama (Ladies’ Kisses), a beloved Italian cookie which has differing origin stories. According to Domenica Marchetti, my friend who is a cookbook author, blogger, culinary arts instructor, and travel host, “They are said to have originated in the town of Tortona, near the Ligurian foothills, east of Torino. But there are also claims that they were invented in 1852 by a pastry chef in the House of Savoy for Vittorio Emanuele II. Some old recipes note that the cookies were originally made with ground almonds, and that hazelnuts were substituted when almonds became too expensive. Other recipes claim the opposite.” Who knows? And, when they taste this good, does it matter?
I was a little bored in November, but perked up when I received an email from Domenica announcing that she was giving an online class on how to make three of my favorite Italian cookies. I signed up immediately. I was eager for this class, and I was not disappointed. As you have guessed, Baci di Dama were one of the three. (The other two were a Sicilian sesame brittle called Giuggiulena and Ricciarelli di Siena – a chewy almond cookie.) One of the nice things about her online classes is that they are very small and intimate – never too many students – allowing her to give personal attention to each student when needed.
Domenica offers a variety of wonderful classes throughout the year and, when times are better, will return to leading tours of Italy. Her website is Domenica Cooks and she will be starting up her online classes again after the New Year. If you want to learn some nice Italian recipes and techniques while in your own kitchen, I highly recommend that you visit her site. And, after your class, you end up with wonderful Italian treats (savory and sweet) in your kitchen. That’s my kind of homework!
As we head into the New Year, we could all use an extra bacio, right?
~ David
Recipe by Domenica Marchetti, Domenica Cooks.
Developed and maintained by Inspiratech LLC.
Design by Themeshift.
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
December 26, 2020 at 8:36 amOh, I’ll have to check out Domenica’s online classes! These cookies look sort of like a cross between a ‘Melting Moments’ cookie and a Macaron- the best of two worlds (but without all the fuss). Happy New Year, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:00 amFran – the cookie part is really much more like a short bread than a macaron. By themselves, they are fabulous!
John / Kitchen Riffs
December 26, 2020 at 9:33 amLanguage is fascinating, isn’t it? It moves, changes, grows — so restless, and often just because. Anyway, lovely cookies — the flavor looks to be wonderful, and the shape is so inviting. I’ll have two — as you say, we can all use an extra bacio. Happy New Year!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:01 amI do find language fascinating, John. And I like your take that it changes “just because.” You should definitely make a batch of these cookies for an extra bacio or two.
domenicacooks
December 26, 2020 at 10:37 amDavid ~ thank you for your kind words and for posting the recipe. I share your affection for these (outdated?) grammatical devices. Every so often I’ll come across an Italian phrase or word spelling that is no longer and I file it away. My old Italian cookbooks, for example, spelled ‘fagioli’ as ‘fagiuoli.’ Or the fact that, once upon a time, the word ‘lasagne’ referred only to the pasta sheet and not to the finished dish, which was called ‘timballo di lasagne.’ Sending you baci ed abbracci, and auguri per un buon anno nuovo! xo
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:02 amAgain, thank you so much for a wonderful day in the kitchen Domenica. Lots of fun! I also love the new linguistic tidbits you shared. I will never think of lasagne the same way. (Which still AutoCorrects to being spelled with an “a” at the end…)
Aarthi
December 26, 2020 at 3:02 pmThanks for this recipe, David! Looks easy and delicious , like the idea of sandwiching the cookies with melted chocolates, my kids would surely be attracted with the filling. I will bookmark this recipe and make them, Happy Holidays and New Year to you!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:03 amEven as a kid, I love these cookies. There was a local Italian bakery the carry them… I think your children will love them too, Aarthi
Eha Carr
December 26, 2020 at 4:23 pm*giant grin* ‘Saadan Sulle ja Markusele hulga suudlusi ning kallisid” . . . . there . . . my ‘contribution’ ! Deutsch vielleicht ist gar nicht so schwer ? A great recipe for a non-baker who ‘sins’ occasionally . . . . have tried and enjoyed . . . guess what ? Trust you are well . . .
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:04 amI never found German all that difficult… Maybe because they learned it on the streets while living there fir a summer, and it felt more natural. You definitely need to “send“ a little and have some of these. 🙂
sippitysup
December 26, 2020 at 6:03 pmI hope your inner codger enjoyed making these cookies as much as my outer codger enjoyed seeing them! Happy New Year. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:05 amIt did, Greg. In fact, my inner culture almost became un-codged.
2pots2cook
December 27, 2020 at 3:21 amThank you for the hugs and kisses. If my memory serves me well , “ad”was inserted to pronounce the name easier; if there are several vowels together, it is ( was ) much harder to pronounce it (i,e,a ) but if you insert a consonant, it so much more fluent… French works the same, I think. Whatever the reason, thank you for one of the best sandwich cookies recipes ever !
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:06 amThat is so true, Davorka. There are definitely things like this in French, as well. But the French still use them whereas this has left modern day usage in Italy. And, these are definitely one of the best sandwich cookies ever!
Chef Mimi
December 27, 2020 at 6:39 amBeautiful cookies, and one of my favorite combinations of flavors – hazelnut and chocolate. My grandmother, in France, used to send me some specialty of where she lived, in Nancy, that were chocolates with hazelnuts, and they were a specific shape. Every time I ate one it was a spiritual experience. I should probably look into what they might be. Anyway, Iknow I’d love these cookies, which is why I most likely won’t make them. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:07 amNow you were going to have me on a search for those hazelnut/chocolate treats from Nancy. I completely understand not wanting to make these, Mimi, which is the same reason I gave most of them away. (Although, now I’m regretting giving so many away…)
Melissa
December 27, 2020 at 9:20 amThese would have been perfect (with almonds substituted for the hazelnuts, which I don’t care for) for the socially distanced cookie exchange I did with three friends a week ago. Now they’ll have to wait until we’ve finished all the leftover cookies I have stashed in the freezer but I will definitely try them.
By the way, David, I just wanted to say that your blog has been a little bright spot in my Sunday morning mail during this most challenging year. Baci to you and Mark and best wishes for 2021. May it be a better year for us all!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:09 amThat makes my heart swell, Melissa. I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog… I’m still really enjoying writing it, as it has been therapeutic for me, as well. It gives me structure in a time when there is so little to be had.
Yes, you should definitely try these with almonds. I think the ones I grew up with were made with almond and not hazelnut. And, let’s be honest, almond flour is a lot easier to find and hazelnut flour. (And, while we’re at it, almonds are easier to find than hazelnuts!)
Jeff the Chef
December 28, 2020 at 9:08 amThese cookies sound delicious. I love old-world cookies, and am always glad to find a new, interesting recipe. I have to say, though, I was completely distracted by your Santa cup! I have the exact same cup. Mine was hand-painted by my mom when I was really young – maybe five years old. (She used to make ceramics, and that Santa design was a popular mold.) So anyway, mine has my name painted on the brim of the hat. I keep it with the Christmas stuff, and use it every season at least once or twice.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 28, 2020 at 9:11 amThat little Santa mug has brought back so many memories for so many people. I didn’t realize they were so popular in the era. (Which puts us at about the same age I imagine…) I know there were several different faces for the Santas because each sibling had a different version. I’m very fond of this one, as I imagine you are as well. I hope you had a great holiday, Jeff… Here’s to 2021! It Hass to be so much better…
Andrea@TheKitchenLioness
December 28, 2020 at 10:10 amDear David, hope you and Mark spent a wonderful Christmas with lots of lovely gifts and candles and all the trimmings….
Your Baci di Dama look utterly delicious, picture perfect! My kind of cookie and if I lived close to you (HA!) I would have dropped by and tasted them – love these so much but have not had a chance to make them yet!
Glad you had the patience to take online courses – I must admit that spending so much time with the kids getting their online classes/course/tutorials etc organized left me a bit exhausted with respect to even more computer time….
All the very best to Mark & you!
Andrea – Vielen Dank auch für das liebevolle Geschenk
Cocoa & Lavender
January 2, 2021 at 8:50 amIt’s funny, Andrea — I spend most of my time on online meetings for work, yet when it comes to drinks or dinner with friends — or a cooking class — I don’t mind it at all. Maybe you should try a fun online visit?
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
December 31, 2020 at 8:11 amThese look so lovely and special David! So do you work along with her in the cooking classes? Sounds like fun!
Cocoa & Lavender
January 2, 2021 at 8:50 amHi Inger — yes, you cook and bake along with Domenica. It is really fun!
Inger @ Art of Natural Liivng
January 6, 2021 at 9:51 pmI’ll have to check into this! It helps if I’m not just “thinking” along 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
January 6, 2021 at 11:32 pmRight now, I am looking forward anything fun to distract me.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
December 31, 2020 at 9:32 amHazel nuts and chocolate, a combination that would always call for hugs and kisses. Wishing the two of you all the best in the New Year. I can’t wait to see what deliciousness you will be serving up.
Cocoa & Lavender
January 2, 2021 at 8:51 amI totally agree, Karen — and best wishes for the coming year!
Kelly | Foodtasia
December 31, 2020 at 12:03 pmDavid, how wonderful! One of my very favorite cookies. They’re so elegant and the flavor combo can’t be beat! I’ll have to check out Domenica’s classes. What a dream it would be to celebrate the end of covid with a food tour of Italy! Warm wishes for a wonderful new year!
Cocoa & Lavender
January 2, 2021 at 8:52 amI love the way you think, Kelly! A tour of Italy would be perfect!
Valentina
January 2, 2021 at 2:02 pmIt really doesn’t get much better than chocolate + hazelnuts all in one bite. Yum! Love that you took an online cookie class. Sounds like so much fun! Happy New Year! 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
January 6, 2021 at 11:23 pmIt is one of the best combinations! The cookie class was a blast!
Raymund
January 5, 2021 at 12:33 pmInteresting, I also still use ß and my umlauts, most people these days just replace them with double SS or oe, ae, etc. Mom and Sister lives in Zürich so I have to learn German. Anyways that Baci ed Abbracci, definitely nice to snack on.
Cocoa & Lavender
January 6, 2021 at 11:25 pmI’m so glad to hear this Raymund! I hope you have gotten to visit Zürich — a beautiful city!
Cathy
January 8, 2021 at 3:48 pmI have always been fascinated with these beautiful bites of nut and chocolate. After reading your recipe I no longer feel intimidated to make them. The online classes sound fun, I will check them out.
Cocoa & Lavender
January 11, 2021 at 7:29 amThey are quite easy, Cathy – I hope you make (and enjoy) a batch!
Colette
January 8, 2021 at 6:30 pmD, these look DElicious!
Happy 2021, my sweet friend. xo
Cocoa & Lavender
January 11, 2021 at 7:30 amThey are the perfect *you* cookie, Colette – sweet and adorable!
Christina Conte
January 9, 2021 at 11:12 pmOoooh, I missed these beauties! Domenica is a fabulous source for Italian cooking/baking! Lovely that you were able to take her class. I adore these gems. You can’t go wrong with hazelnut and chocolate in my book! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
January 11, 2021 at 7:32 amYou are so right, Christina – Domenica (like yourself) is one of my go-to sources when I need an authentic Italian recipe. Google? Forget it. I have you both, Frank, Stefano, and a couple of new favorites I found around the holidays! Have you found My Pinch of Italy yet?
John
January 15, 2021 at 2:35 amThe first time I saw these I immediately thought of Croatian breskvice, only without the heavy make-up. You had me at hazelnuts and 70% chocolate – the most perfect combination! I may have to try these one day, HIde them from Dean and enjoy them before they vanish.
Cocoa & Lavender
January 15, 2021 at 7:37 amHaving made your recipe for breskvice, the process is very similar – though I don’t think these would stand up to the decoration. The recipe makes a lot – you could tell Dean it only makes a dozen, and then you could give him six… he’d feel really good about your “splitting them” with him and would never have to know where the others are hidden.
Marcelle
February 28, 2021 at 8:05 amDavid, this cookies look scrumptious!! I’ve never made anything with hazelnuts although I love the flavor of the nuts. Pecans and almonds dominate the baking scene where I am. I’m going to search for hazelnuts and see where I can find some. I’d love to try these beautiful cookies.
Cocoa & Lavender
March 11, 2021 at 2:18 pmI don’t know if you have Trader Joe’s or not, but they have really decent hazelnuts, already skinned! Love working with them.