Pignolo is a light golden color and studded with golden pine nuts (pinoli in Italian). Made with almond paste and egg whites, the cookie is moist, soft and chewy.[9][10]
Often they are formed into crescents;[citation needed] otherwise the cookies are round.[11]Pignoli are a popular Italian holiday treat, especially at Christmas. Because both almond paste and pine nuts are relatively expensive, and this cookie uses substantial amounts of both, it is a luxury food.[12]
Being essentially an almond macaroon, this cookie belongs to a type known as amaretto.[13]