photo credit: badlyricpolice

There are many traditional Italian cookies, but it is believed that the lovely pizzelles are the oldest.  The name comes from the Italian word pizze for round and flat.  Pizzelles are thin, waffle-type cookies made with a special pizzelle machine.  Long ago, a family would have an iron with their family crest on it that was held over the fire to bake.  How glad they would have been to have a pizzelle machine where you can make one in under a minute.  Today’s machines usually have two different designs for the front and back – usually a floral pattern for the top and a waffle pattern for the bottom.

Every year in the Abruzzo region of Italy, pizzelles are a big part of the “Feast Day of San Domenico” – also known as the “Festival of the snakes”.  The story goes that back around 700 B.C. the area was so infested with snakes that the people banded together and rid the area of the snakes.  When the task was completed they all ate pizzelles at their celebration.

Traditional Italian pizzelles are sometimes referred to as wedding cookies, since the bride and groom would pass them out to the guests at their wedding.  Although this tradition still exists in some areas, you will most often see pizzelles at Easter and Christmas time.

Traditional Italian pizzelles are not overly sweet.  There are many varied recipes, but the anise ones seem to be most favored.  Here is a recipe that will give you lovely pizzelles.  Beat 3 eggs with 3/4 cup fo sugar.  Add 1/2 cup of melted, cooled butter and a tablespoon of vanilla or anise extract.  Sift in 1 3/4 cups of flour and 2 teaspoons of baking powder.

That’s all there is to it.  Just place a heaping tablespoon full in the middle of your hot pizzelle machine, close the lid, and in under a minute you will have a gorgeous pizzelle.  I sometimes make chocolate ones that my friends just love.

These are very pretty wrapped in colored plastic wrap with a festive bow – makes a terrific gift!  Maybe you would like to try these traditional Italian cookies this holiday season!   Watch Dede make these on CBS!  Click here! Mangia Bene!

photo credit: cursedthing

If you are looking to add some Italian cookies to your lineup this Christmas, why not try these heavenly Rocotta cheese cookies.  Did you know that ricotta is not really a true cheese?  It is actually  a by-product of the cheese making process.  The watery leftover liquid from the making of another cheese is called the whey.  Ricotta actually means “cooked again”.  When the whey is recooked, the final product is ricotta cheese.  Italian ricotta is made from the milk of many different animals, but the American version is almost always made from the milk of a cow.  Italian versions tend to have a nutty, sweet flavor and are more dry than American ricottas.  In Italy, you can also purchase a salty or a smoky version, as well.

In Italy, ricotta is used in many desserts such as cannolis and cheesecakes.  It is also used to make these marvelous Italian cookies!

This recipe for Italian cookies makes about two dozen.  You will want to have your oven at 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, place two cups of sugar and one cup of softened butter.  Blend together on low speed.  Then raise the speed to high and beat until the mixture is very light and fluffy – about five minutes.

Turn your speed to medium and add in a 15-oz. container of ricotta cheese, 2 teaspoons of vanilla and 2 large eggs. Beat until well blended and turn speed to low.  Add 4 cups regular flour, 2 tablespoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt.  Beat until a dough forms and drop by tablespoons a few inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake about 15 minutes.  The cookies should be starting to turn a little golden, but they will be soft.  Remove to a rack to cool.

Meanwhile, make your icing.  Mix together 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, 3 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract.  When cookies are cooled, spread icing on tops of cookies and allow to dry for about an hour.

You will enjoy the smiles when people bite into these delightful Italian cookies made with ricotta cheese! 

Would you like to see author Sylvia Main make some fabulous lemon ricotta pancakes?  Click here!

Mangia Bene!