Chef Jackie's Pignoli Nut Cookies

Pignoli Nut Cookies
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients
1 tube almond paste (7 oz)
2 cups pignoli nuts, divided
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for garnish
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
1/4 cup almond flour  
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare 2 sheets trays with parchment paper.

To the bowl of a food processor, add almond paste and 1/2 cup pignoli nuts. Pulse until combined. Add sugars, egg whites, vanilla paste, almond flour and salt. Process until blended and smooth.

Place remaining pignoli nuts into bowl. Scoop about 1 teaspoon size dough, roll into ball, and roll in pignoli nuts. Place onto prepared sheet trays, spacing cookies about 1" apart.  Continue until all dough is used.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool. Once cooled, sprinkle with more powered sugar.