Valentine’s Day holds a special place in our hearts at the cafe, especially in the bakery. Few gifts convey thoughtfulness as sweetly as a homemade treat made for sharing. As we gear up for this celebration of love and special connections, our bakery shelves come alive with the array of kiss cookies prepared exclusively for Valentine’s Day.
Among the classics like the beloved peanut butter kiss cookies, a staple for any kiss fan, we’ve introduced a new crowd-pleaser – the dark chocolate crinkle kiss cookie. Yet, what truly captures the attention of even our most discerning customers is our elevated take on the traditional Italian “Baci di Dama” cookie.
My travels to Italy in my mid-20s, alongside my sister Peggy, centered around sightseeing and savoring pastries, all on a budget of $30.00 a day. This culinary exploration often led us to Italian patisseries and gelato shops, with dinner consisting of delicious Italian pastries and a bottle of wine. In Northern Italy, particularly the Piedmont region, we discovered the charm of “Baci” cookies – simple hazelnut shortbread balls, gently flattened when baked, and sandwiched with a lavish layer of melted dark chocolate. Known as “Baci di Dama.” Translating to “lady’s kisses,” these little treats left a lasting impression.
Inspired by my memory of these Italian cookies, I set out to recreate the magic in our bakery. Our signature “kisses” have become cherished favorites among our customers. For our peanut butter baci, we take two peanut butter cookies and lovingly sandwich them with our creamy peanut butter buttercream. The snickerdoodle baci features a delightful pairing of two cinnamon snickerdoodle cookies “kissed” with cinnamon mascarpone whipped cream. Our take on the OREO follows the same principle – two chocolate cookies united with luscious vanilla mascarpone whipped cream. The possibilities are endless, but the key is ensuring a generous creamy filling that brings together two delicious cookies. Unlike the traditional Baci di Dama, Sweet Mimi’s “kiss” cookies boast an oversized charm, making them perfect for thoughtful gift-giving on Valentine’s Day!
Peanut Butter Baci Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 8 ounces softened butter
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (JIFF brand preferred)
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
- Sanding Sugar (for rolling cookies)
- Milk or dark chocolate kisses (if making Kiss cookies)
- Chopped peanut butter cups or chopped peanuts (for Baci garnish)
For Peanut Butter Buttercream:
- 8 ounces softened butter
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1-2 tablespoons whole milk (as needed)
Instructions:
- In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until light (3-4 minutes).
- Add peanut butter and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Add eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and beat until combined.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl, beating on low until well combined.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- For equal-sized cookies, weigh them (2.2 ounces per cookie). Alternatively, use a tablespoon to scoop, roll into a ball, and coat with sanding sugar.
- Place the uniform-sized balls on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Bake cookies for 9-11 minutes until set and slightly brown on the edges.
- If making Kiss cookies, let them cool for 1 minute, then gently press a chocolate kiss into the center.
- If making Baci, use a flat-bottomed glass to gently flatten the cookies without cracking. Allow to cool completely.
Peanut Butter Buttercream:
- In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until creamy.
- Slowly add in confectioner’s sugar, beating well until creamy and smooth.
- Add salt, vanilla, and milk (1 tablespoon at a time) until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Finishing the Baci:
- Take one cookie (bottom side up) and spread 1-2 tablespoons of buttercream.
- Gently top the cookie and, for an extra touch, add a small dollop of buttercream on top.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts or chopped peanut butter cups.
Now, your delightful Peanut Butter Baci cookies are ready to be enjoyed!
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