logo  
in mamas kitchen dot com©
home mothers recipes food is art seasons membership
submit your recipes, click here     
breakfast bread soup veggies dessert recipes

Biscotti D'Annodare (Nana's Knot Cookies)

"You can roll pieces of dough into balls and bake them that way, if you prefer, but nana always made "knots". She also used to spread the glaze on each cookie with her fingertip." Lynn Masiello

  • 1 stick softened butter - 1/2 cup
  • 1 stick softened margarine - 1/2 cup
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract see tip below
  • 1/4 cup milk or orange juice see tip
  • 6 large eggs
  • 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped citron
  • 1/4 cup chopped filberts (hazelnuts) or walnuts see tip

Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange or lemon juice
  • multicolored non pareil sprinkles for decoration
  • shortening or baking spray for greasing cookie sheets
 

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together butter, margarine and sugar until light.

Blend in vanilla and milk or orange juice, then eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in candied fruit and nuts.

In another large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

Gradually add flour 1 cup at a time, to butter mixture. Combine until a dough forms, eventually using your hands if necessary.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. The dough should be slightly sticky, but it shouldn't stick to your hands.

Set dough aside to rest for 5 minutes.

Break off pieces of dough about the size of a large walnut in its shell. Roll out into ropes about 6" in length and 1/2" in diameter. Gently form each rope into a loose knot, although not literally. Tuck ends underneath. They should be roughly 1 1/2" in diameter. Place on greased cookie sheets.

Bake 15 minutes or until bottoms are browned and cookies sound hollow when lightly tapped with a finger.

Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. When cookies have cooled, dip tops of cookies into glaze.

Lightly sprinkle tops with non pariels while glaze is still wet, and set them aside to dry. Store in an airtight container. They'll keep for about a week and will freeze well.

recipe from www.inmamaskitchen.com

Contributor: Lynn Masiello

more cookies       back to Christmas page      more sicilian recipes      article on sicilian cooking

 

Tip: Showing her Italian verve, Lynn suggests that you feel free to play with this recipe. Here are some suggested substitutes:For vanilla extract, feel free to substitute anise extractFor milk, you can substitute orange juiceYou can omit hazelnuts or walnuts for a smoother cookie.

dessert recipes

 

top of page

 

Google

©inmamaskitchen.com         membership agreement