Chocolate cream sandwiched between two round cookies, baci di dama are a dessert from the Piedmontese town of Tortona. Originating in the 19th century, these “lady's kisses” soon became famous throughout Italy, and are still beloved today.
The original recipe called for a dough made with flour, sugar, and chopped hazelnuts, though almonds gradually replaced the latter over time. Nowadays, you can find several takes on the original including the Baci di Alassio, named for a seaside town in Liguria, whose recipe adds cocoa and honey to the dough.
Baci di dama (Lady's Kisses) Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 sticks butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup almonds
8 oz. 65% dark chocolate
salt
Method
Place the almonds in a mixer and then chop them until coarse. Next, combine the almonds with the flour, sugar, and salt.
Cut the butter into small pieces, add it to the flour and start kneading until a dough forms. Cover the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for an hour.
Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into small balls and place them on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and let back for 20-25 minutes. When the cookies are fully baked, remove from the oven and let cool.
In the meantime, melt the chocolate in a bain-marie. When the cookies have cooled, use a spatula to cover the base with the chocolate cream, and then place another cookie on top to seal the “kiss” closed.
Place the finished baci di dama on a plate and let sit until the chocolate thickens and slightly solidifies. Enjoy the cookies right away or store them in a container.