Chocolate Kisses (Baci di Cioccolato)
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Adorable bite-sized chocolate cookies sandwiched with a dollop of chocolate ganache.
These adorably sophisticated cookies are adapted from Dolce Italiano: Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen, an Italian dessert cookbook by the late pastry chef Gina DePalma. The cookies are a variation of Italy’s famous baci di dama (lady’s kisses), which consist of two bite-size hazelnut cookies surrounding a rich chocolate filling. In DePalma’s words, “Baci means ‘kisses’ in Italian, and here two chocolate cookies are sandwiched with a kiss of chocolate ganache. It is highly likely that the lucky people who devour them will kiss you for making them.” Having made these intensely-chocolate cookies for the chocoholics in my family, I can confirm this is true. If you’ve got some insatiable chocoholics in your house, this collection of chocolate desserts will satisfy every chocolate craving.
Table of Contents
“Made these yesterday for a Birthday/Valentine’s Day dinner. Loved that they are bite-sized. They were delicious! I will definitely make them again.”
What You’ll Need To Make Chocolate Kisses
- Slivered Almonds: Adds a nutty flavor and texture to the cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: A portion of the sugar sweetens the dough and the remainder creates a sweet, crunchy exterior to the cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base for the cookies. To ensure you’re using the correct amount of flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off.
- Unsweetened Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder: Gives the cookies a rich chocolate flavor. Note that Dutch-processed cocoa powder is different than natural cocoa powder.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and puff slightly during baking.
- Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough and enhances the texture and mouthfeel of the ganache.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the dough and contributes to a delicate crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies with its aromatic richness.
- Dark Rum: Adds depth of flavor and subtle warmth to both the cookies and the chocolate filling.
- Heavy Cream: Provides a smooth, creamy base for the ganache.
- Semisweet Chocolate: Gives the ganache a rich, chocolaty flavor.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
For the Cookies:
Place the almonds and 3 tablespoons of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until the almonds are finely ground and powdery.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Whisk to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, combine the butter and confectioners’ sugar.
Beat on medium speed until creamy and light, about 2 minutes. Then add the vanilla and rum (if using), scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Beat until combined.
Add the dry ingredients.
Beat on low speed until combined.
Add the ground almond mixture and mix to combine.
Scrape the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap, wrap it, and flatten it into a disc. Chill for about 1 hour, or until it is firm enough to handle.
On a lightly floured work surface, cut the dough into 3 pieces.
Work with one piece at a time, keeping the others wrapped and refrigerated. Roll the first portion of the dough into a log about 3/4 inch in diameter.
Cut each log into 1/2-inch pieces.
Roll each piece into a ball, then roll the balls in granulated sugar to coat them completely. Place the balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about 1-1/2 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining portions of dough.
Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back midway through, until they are puffed and cracking slightly on top, 12 to 14 minutes.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then use a spatula to transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
For the Ganache Filling:
While the cookies are baking, make the ganache filling. Pour the cream into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until boiling, about 1 minute. Add the chocolate and butter; let sit for 1 minute.
Whisk until smooth and glossy. (Alternatively, put the chocolate and butter in a medium bowl, bring the cream to a boil in a saucepan, and then pour the cream over the chocolate and butter.) Whisk in the rum, if using.
Allow the ganache to cool, whisking it occasionally, until it is thickened enough to spread with a knife, about 45 minutes.
To Assemble the Cookies:
Pair up the cookies according to size. Turn one cookie upside down and, using a butter knife, spread a heaping teaspoon of the ganache onto the flat side, then place the bottom of the second cookie on the ganache to form a sandwich; the two round tops of the cookies should be facing outward. Repeat until all the cookies have been used.
Allow the ganache to firm up at room temperature for about an hour, then transfer the cookies to a serving plate. The cookies can be stored, layered between sheets of parchment paper, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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Chocolate Kisses (Baci di Cioccolato)
Adorable bite-sized chocolate cookies sandwiched with a dollop of chocolate ganache.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- ⅓ cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- Scant ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dark rum (optional)
For the Ganache Filling
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons dark rum (optional)
Instructions
- Place the almonds and 3 tablespoons of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until the almonds are finely ground and powdery.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until creamy and light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and rum (if using), scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined, then beat in the ground almond mixture. Scrape the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap, wrap it, and flatten it into a disc. Chill for about 1 hour, or until it is firm enough to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and set two oven racks in the centermost positions. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured work surface, cut the dough into 3 pieces. Work with one piece at a time, keeping the others wrapped and refrigerated. Roll the first portion of the dough into a log about ¾ inch in diameter. Cut each log into ½-inch pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll the balls in granulated sugar to coat them completely. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1½ inches apart. Repeat with the remaining portions of dough.
- Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back midway through, until they are puffed and cracking slightly on top, 12 to 14 minutes.
- While the cookies are baking, make the ganache filling. Pour the cream into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until boiling, about 1 minute. Add the chocolate and butter; let sit for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth and glossy. (Alternatively, put the chocolate and butter in a medium bowl, bring the cream to a boil in a saucepan, and then pour the cream over the chocolate and butter.) Whisk in the rum, if using. Allow the ganache to cool, whisking it occasionally, until it is thickened enough to spread with a knife, about 45 minutes. (Don't let it cool for too long, or it will be too firm to spread.)
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then use a spatula to transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
- To assemble the kisses: Pair up the cookies according to size. Turn one cookie upside down and, using a butter knife, spread a heaping teaspoon of the ganache onto the flat side, then place the bottom of the second cookie on the ganache to form a sandwich; the two round tops of the cookies should be facing outward. (Alternatively, use a pastry bag fitted with a plain or star tip to pipe the ganache onto the cookies.) Repeat until all the cookies have been used. Allow the ganache to firm up at room temperature for about an hour, then transfer the cookies to a serving plate.
- The cookies can be stored, layered between sheets of parchment paper, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Note: If you have any leftover chocolate ganache, let it firm up and roll it into balls. Then roll the balls in cocoa powder or confectioners' sugar to make truffles.
Nutrition Information
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- Serving size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 114
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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I turn to Jenn time and time again when I want something new and exciting to make. This recipe did not disappoint. I followed the recipe exactly as written (I added the rum). The dark rum gave an unexpected warmth to the kisses. Perfecto!!! My husband will be asking for these treats again and again. Thanks once more for another perfectly written recipe!!!
Oops! Forgot the stars!
These little cookies are delicious and although they take awhile to construct, they meet my need for something not typical on the holiday cookie tray that tastes delicious. Will make again next year. Stored surprisingly well in airtight container.
We love the classic Bacci candy that you can commercially buy, but making these takes the experience to a whole new level. Your recipes inspire me!
Made these a couple of times and they are fantastic! Would like to try them with Nutella rather than chocolate ganache. Can you recommend a way to get the Nutella thick enough so it stays between the cookies without sliding out when they are put together?
Thanks!
So glad you like these. I think the only way to make these with Nutella and keep the Nutella inside the cookies is to keep them chilled. Please LMK how they turn out if you try it!
Can these be made without almonds? Since we have a tree nut allergy. Would you recommend a substitute or alteration to flour amount? Otherwise they sound so delicious! Thanks
Hi Janine, Are peanuts okay? If so, you could substitute unsalted peanuts. Please LMK how they turn out if you try it!
We added these to our holiday cookie list this year and they were amazing.
These cookies are delicious! I substituted almonds with hazelnuts. I added about 4 more ounces of chocolate to thicken the ganache. Such heavenly cookies!
I made these tonight and they turned out so well. They are delicious, I love the ganache! I used almond flour in place of the slivered almonds (scant 1/2 cup as you suggested to another reviewer) and that worked well for me.
Can the cookies be made the day before and then filled the next day?
Sure, that’s fine. Enjoy!
If I don’t have almonds, am I able to substitute or omit?
Hi Britta, I think any nut would be delicious here.