Italian Cookies by Videojug Team

You will need


Units:MetricUS ImperialUK Imperial



■ 250 g rounded sugar
■ 250 g butter
■ 1 kg flour
■ 3 tbsp baking powder
■ 5 eggs
■ 2 tbsp vanilla


Serves:
1
Cooking Time:
8 minutes
Oven Temperature:
205° c - 400° f


Step 1: Mixing Main Ingredients

Prior to mixing, preheat oven to 400 F.In a large bowl, blend the butter and sugar. In a different bowl, mix the flour and baking powder thoroughly. Combine the two mixtures by adding the flour mixture into the butter/sugar mixture. Blend the ingredients using freshly washed hands. Continue to blend until the ingredients are well mixed.





Step 2: Finishing Mix

In a small bowl, beat the eggs and the vanilla together. Add the eggs to the flour and butter mixture. Use your hands to knead the dough until it has an oily feel. At this point, the dough should be divided into thirds for shaping.


Step 3: Preparing Icing

For chocolate cookie icing, mix powdered sugar, butter and a little cocoa. Set aside until cookies have baked.For almond cookie icing, mix powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. Set aside until cookies have baked.


Step 4: 1/3 of Dough for Chocolate Cookies

For chocolate flavored cookies, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa to 1/3 of the dough. Stir in a dash of cinnamon and 1/2 cup of finely chopped nuts. Using hands, blend the dough until well mixed. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.


Step 5: 1/3 of Dough for Almond Cookies

For almond flavored cookies, add 1 teaspoon of liquid anise flavoring to 1/3 of the dough. Using hands, blend the dough until well mixed. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.


Step 6: 1/3 of Dough for Sesame Cookies

For sesame flavored cookies, add 1 teaspoon of liquid anise flavoring to 1/3 of the dough. Using hands, blend the dough until well mixed. Shape the dough into 2-inch finger shaped lengths. Roll the finger shaped dough in sesame seeds until covered, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.


Step 7: Baking Cookies

All three types of cookies should be placed in a 400 F oven for 8-10 minutes. After removing let cookies sit for 2 minutes to firm up. Then remove cookies to plate for cooling.


Step 8: Frosting Chocolate and Almond Cookies

After the cookies are fully cooled, chocolate and almond cookies should be frosted. Generously frost the chocolate cookies with the icing containing cocoa. Frost the almond cookies with powdered sugar, vanilla and milk icing. The easiest way to frost the cookies is to hold them upside down over a bowl of frosting, dip the cookies into the frosting and twirl them around. The sesame cookies do not need frosting.


Step 9: Optional Shaping and Baking Method

This is an optional method for fancier, more festive cookies.Using 1/3 of the dough, add 1 teaspoon almond flavoring. Divide this dough in half.Using food coloring, color one half light pink and one half light green. Spread the pink half of the dough onto a 3x6-inch rectangle, and pat down firmly. Spread the green half of the dough on top of the pink dough and pat down firmly. Bake at 400 F oven for 8-10 minutes. After baking, frost the entire rectangle with the almond icing, and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Cut the cookies into diagonal slices. It is easy to make the cookies this way, but they often crumble while being cut. TO avoid this, use a very sharp,non-serrated knife. The chocolate cookies can also be shaped this way.