Description
Pasticcini di Pasqua, a beloved Italian Easter cookie, delights with delicate almond and citrus notes. Light, crumbly pastries showcase festive traditions from Sicily’s rich culinary heritage, promising a sweet celebration you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp lemon or orange zest
- 2 tbsps milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsps milk
- ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
- Colorful sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in middle, preheat to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Creaming: Use electric mixer to blend butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and voluminous.
- Wet Ingredients: Individually incorporate eggs, ensuring complete integration. Mix in vanilla extract, almond extract, and citrus zest until evenly distributed.
- Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with milk. Create a soft, cohesive dough without overmixing.
- Shaping: Portion dough into logs, forming elegant rings or delicate knots. Arrange on prepared sheets, spacing two inches apart.
- Baking: Bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and tops remain pale. Cookies should appear slightly tender.
- Cooling and Glazing: Transfer to wire rack. Once cooled, prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and extract until smooth.
- Finishing: Dip cookie tops in glaze, allowing excess to drip. Quickly sprinkle with decorative toppings before glaze sets.
- Storage: Let cookies rest until glaze hardens completely. Store in airtight container for optimal freshness, maintaining quality for up to five days.
Notes
- Prevent Dough Overworking: Gently fold ingredients to maintain a tender, soft texture. Overmixing develops gluten, creating dense, tough cookies.
- Control Moisture Balance: Adjust milk quantity carefully to achieve the right dough consistency. Too much liquid creates sticky dough, while too little results in dry, crumbly cookies.
- Master Baking Precision: Monitor oven temperature and baking time closely. Golden edges indicate doneness while preserving a delicate, soft cookie interior.
- Customize Flavor Profiles: Experiment with different extracts like orange, lemon, or rum to personalize the cookie’s taste. Swap almond extract for vanilla or combine multiple flavor hints for unique variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 166
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 56 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 47 mg