When it comes to traditional Italian pastries, there is nothing better than a simple cookie. They are fun to make and fun to eat as well. These can be made for holidays, for parties, or for kids. They can be made, or they can be purchased at a local Italian bakery. Traditional Italian cookies are a favorite of many adults and kids alike, and can be served at any gathering. There are all different types and flavors to sample, but here are a select few listed within this article.
Anisette Cookies
As hinted at in the name, the Anisette cookie gets its name from anise extract. These treats are better homemade than in the factories, because they have that distinct smell and taste. The anise is not to be substituted, or they couldn't be anisette cookies. For the lemon portion of the recipe, it's better to use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of the bottled kind.
Taralli Pastries
The taralli is an interesting cookie made two ways: either in knots or rings. If they are made as knots, they will have a slight lemon taste to them, depending on the recipe you use. The texture and shape of this style of taralli is almost like a scone and a cookie all at once. These can be enjoyed with coffee in the mornings as a breakfast treat, or as a great dessert. The other version of this treat is made into a ring shape, almost like thin doughnuts and only takes one egg, while the previous version takes six. Both are garnished with a glaze to top it off.
Macaroon Pastries
Macaroons are more common, and the variety from Italy is usually created with almonds. Macaroons were first made in a monastery sometime in 1792. Some Carmelite nuns took a room in an area called Nancy during the French Revolution and sold these cookies to pay for the room.
Florentine Pastries
Florentines are an Old World favorite. These came from Tuscany and are a hit around Christmas time. They are made with almonds, chocolate, and more. Florentines are made flat and crispy, and most of the time have a chocolate layer on the bottom. This may be a cookie mainly eaten by Italians, but it comes from Paris.
Ricciarelli Cookies
Ricciarelli is another cookie made with almonds directly in the dough. Originating in Tuscany, the dough for the cookie has to be well chilled before it is cut into squares. Its rich almond taste makes it good with coffee, chocolate, or even gelato. These usually are made to be hard on the outside and chewy on the inside. They are also popular during the holiday season and are sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Biscotti
Biscotti is a common favorite and is also a treat when combined with coffee. When these are homemade, people usually like to top them with different things such as frosting or sprinkles. Some biscotti cookies are even made with pistachios. An uncommon recipe uses ethnic spices to give the cookie a chai tea flavor.
These cookies are the ideal Italian pastry found in a grandma's kitchen. There are plenty more out there to make, just dig deep to find them. They might be closer than you think. Traditional Italian cookies are fun to eat and make.
Anisette Cookies
As hinted at in the name, the Anisette cookie gets its name from anise extract. These treats are better homemade than in the factories, because they have that distinct smell and taste. The anise is not to be substituted, or they couldn't be anisette cookies. For the lemon portion of the recipe, it's better to use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of the bottled kind.
Taralli Pastries
The taralli is an interesting cookie made two ways: either in knots or rings. If they are made as knots, they will have a slight lemon taste to them, depending on the recipe you use. The texture and shape of this style of taralli is almost like a scone and a cookie all at once. These can be enjoyed with coffee in the mornings as a breakfast treat, or as a great dessert. The other version of this treat is made into a ring shape, almost like thin doughnuts and only takes one egg, while the previous version takes six. Both are garnished with a glaze to top it off.
Macaroon Pastries
Macaroons are more common, and the variety from Italy is usually created with almonds. Macaroons were first made in a monastery sometime in 1792. Some Carmelite nuns took a room in an area called Nancy during the French Revolution and sold these cookies to pay for the room.
Florentine Pastries
Florentines are an Old World favorite. These came from Tuscany and are a hit around Christmas time. They are made with almonds, chocolate, and more. Florentines are made flat and crispy, and most of the time have a chocolate layer on the bottom. This may be a cookie mainly eaten by Italians, but it comes from Paris.
Ricciarelli Cookies
Ricciarelli is another cookie made with almonds directly in the dough. Originating in Tuscany, the dough for the cookie has to be well chilled before it is cut into squares. Its rich almond taste makes it good with coffee, chocolate, or even gelato. These usually are made to be hard on the outside and chewy on the inside. They are also popular during the holiday season and are sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Biscotti
Biscotti is a common favorite and is also a treat when combined with coffee. When these are homemade, people usually like to top them with different things such as frosting or sprinkles. Some biscotti cookies are even made with pistachios. An uncommon recipe uses ethnic spices to give the cookie a chai tea flavor.
These cookies are the ideal Italian pastry found in a grandma's kitchen. There are plenty more out there to make, just dig deep to find them. They might be closer than you think. Traditional Italian cookies are fun to eat and make.
About the Author:
Varallo Brothers offers traditional Italian pastries and cookies and also has other Italian bakery favorites. Their bread is still made the old-world way and all the food is made by hand. (www.varallobrothers.com)
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