Italian Cookies: Authentic Recipes and Sweet Stories by Region

This definitive Italian cookie cookbook has 100 authentic recipes, including baking hints and techniques, plus regional stories and a list of Italian bakeries.

★ “This book is a must for dedicated bakers, encouraging a focus on Mediterranean sweets and spices, with an emphasis on natural flavors inspired by the regional foods throughout ‘the Boot.’”—Booklist, Starred Review

“An excellent volume describing specialties from each Italian region and how to create bakery-worthy cookies at home. Marchetti's easy-to-follow recipes will appeal to bakers of all levels.”—Library Journal

Italian Cookies: Authentic Recipes and Sweet Stories from Every Region is a beautiful, comprehensive guided tour of Italy’s regions by cookies and cookie stories. With recipes steeped in history and tradition, the book capitalizes on two major continuing food trends: our love of everything cookies and our love of everything Italian.

From Lombardy’s meringue-like Amaretti di Gallarate to Tuscany’s crunchy twice-baked Cantucci; Abruzzo’s rustic Pizzelle to Sardina’s fennel-scented Anicini, the reader will discover cookies for every taste and occasion. Directed to the home cook, the book will also include recipes for sweet essentials including candied citrus, Confettura di Amarena (sour cherries preserves), homemade almond (and hazelnut and pistachio) paste, and pasta frolla—the buttery pastry that forms the foundation of many Italian cookies. Sections on ingredients, equipment, and basic techniques make this book accessible to all.

Domenica Marchetti is a professional recipe developer and cooking class instructor who has taught all over the country and online. She also leads occasional small-group culinary tours and food writing workshops in Italy. Domenica is the author of numerous books on Italian home cooking, including The Glorious Pasta of Italy; Preserving Italy: Canning, Curing, Infusing, and Bottling Italian Flavors and Traditions; and Williams-Sonoma Everyday Italian. A former newspaper reporter who earned her master’s degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York, Domenica has published articles and recipes in many publications, including The Washington Post, Eating Well, Food and Wine, and in Italy, La Cucina Italiana and Sale e Pepe. She also writes the popular weekly recipe newsletter “Buona Domenica.” Italian Cookies is her ninth cookbook. She splits her time between Abruzzo, Italy, where her family is from, and Alexandria, Virginia. https://www.instagram.com/domenicacooks/

Originally from Connecticut, Lauren Volo has lived in New York City for over 20 years and now calls Brooklyn home. She earned a BFA in art photography from Syracuse University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in art education at Brooklyn College. She has photographed over 50 cookbooks and worked on numerous advertising campaigns, bringing a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to each project. https://www.instagram.com/laurenvolo/

Daniela Bracco is a Sicilian illustrator who lives and works in Rome. She graduated with a degree in product design and a Master’s degree in visual communication design in Venice. Her first work experience, which lasted two years, was within the editorial staff of Sole24ORE with the role of illustrator, in Milan. She now works as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer collaborating with various agencies, magazines, and individuals such as Il Gambero Rosso magazine, Lonely Planet magazine, Monocle magazine, La Repubblica, Sky, Tennis and Padel Federation, and Slow Food Editore. https://www.instagram.com/daniela.bracc/