Delicious and Nutritious Recipe: Scalidi Cookies!
Fellow bakers, feast your eyes on this Scalidi Cookies recipe – the crown jewel of Southern Italian Christmas cookies. Consider it our little Christmas gift to you!
If you’ve never heard of Scalidi Cookies, don’t worry. These delectable treats are a well-kept secret among those in the know – and today, I’m letting you in on the secret.
Every year, my family and I gather in the kitchen to make these cookies for the holiday season. It’s a tradition that started with my great-grandmother, who brought her Southern Italian heritage with her when she emigrated to America many years ago. We’ve been making these cookies for generations now, tweaking and perfecting the recipe along the way.
What sets Scalidi Cookies apart from other cookie recipes is its unique flavor profile. The dough is lightly sweetened with honey and vanilla flavoring, giving it a subtle sweetness that doesn’t overpower. The cookie is deep-fried until golden brown, adding a crispy crunch that is perfectly complemented by the light dusting of powdered sugar.
Trust me when I say that these cookies are worth the effort. They’re perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holidays or simply for indulging in a little treat with your cup of coffee or tea.
So what are you waiting for? Take a leap of faith and give this recipe a try! The hard work will pay off in spades, I promise you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Want to indulge in a delightful Italian Christmas treat? Then you need to try the Southern Italian Scalidi Cookies recipe! These cookies are perfect for those who love a chewy, fragrant finish that is both sweet and savory.
The recipe calls for honey, vanilla flavoring, sugar, and butter that come together to create a cozy flavor that is perfect for the holidays. Mix in some flour, salt, and baking powder with eggs while following the recipe’s faithful instructions, and you’ll find yourself with an easy-to-make cookie dough.
But what sets these cookies apart is their unique shape: a bow tie cookie! It’s an easy cookie recipe that will have your whole family impressed by your baking skills.
These cookies are great pairings with a warm cup of coffee or tea. You can even make them part of your Easter goodies because they resemble the Italian Struffoli Scalidi pastry. They will be perfect not only for Christmas but also all year round!
Trust me; you won’t regret giving this traditional Italian Christmas cookie recipe a try! The combination of sweet honey with the texture of deep-fried dough coated with powdered sugar is sure to make your taste buds dance.
Ingredient List
Here is a list of all the ingredients you will need to make delicious Scalidi Cookies:
- 4 cups of flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla flavoring
These ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores, so go ahead and stock up on them before you get started. With these simple ingredients, you can create a delectable Southern Italian treat that will rival any bakery cookie!
The Recipe How-To
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s the step-by-step process for making Scalidi cookies.
Ingredients
- 12 Eggs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp Vanilla flavoring
- 4 cups Flour
Instructions
- Beat together the eggs and sugar in a mixer until light and fluffy.
- Combine honey, salt, baking powder, and vanilla flavored ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the egg and sugar mixture with continued mixing.
- Slowly beat in flour until a soft dough forms.
- Place the dough on a well-floured surface and knead it vigorously for about half an hour or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Shape the Scalidi cookie dough into small circular shapes or any other desire shape of your choice.
- Place the shaped cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then place them in preheated oven to 350°F for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown on top.
- Cool cookies on the rack completely before serving.
Enjoy your sweet and crunchy Scalidi cookies alongside a cup of tea or with friends and family during festive occasions or gatherings!
Substitutions and Variations
As with any recipe, there are always substitutions and variations to make it suit your individual preferences. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for tweaking the Scalidi Cookies Recipe to your liking:
– Gluten-Free Flour: If you prefer a gluten-free version of this recipe, swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend. You may need to add a bit more liquid or adjust the baking time as needed.
– Chocolate Chips: For a decadent twist on these classic Christmas cookies, try adding some chocolate chips to the dough. I like to use semi-sweet or dark chocolate, but milk chocolate would work just as well.
– Almond Extract: Swap out the vanilla flavoring for almond extract to give your cookies a nutty, slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the honey and butter.
– Lemon Zest: For a bright burst of citrus flavor, try adding some lemon zest to the dough. It adds a tangy twist that complements the sweetness of the honey and sugar.
– Powdered Sugar Glaze: To take these cookies up a notch, mix together some powdered sugar and milk until you have a smooth glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled cookies and let it set before serving.
Whether you decide to stick with the faithful recipe or experiment with these variations, the Scalidi Cookies are sure to become a family favorite for years to come.
Serving and Pairing
One of the best things about Scalidi Cookies is that they are highly versatile and can be paired with a variety of drinks and desserts. The sweet, buttery taste of these cookies makes them a perfect accompaniment to many different foods and drinks.
If you’re looking for something to pair with Scalidi Cookies, you can’t go wrong with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The richness of the cookies is offset perfectly by the acidity of these beverages. You can also pair them with milk or hot cocoa, especially during the chilly winter months.
For a more festive pairing, why not pair your Scalidi Cookies with a nice glass of spiced eggnog? The warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors will complement the sweet, buttery goodness of the cookies perfectly.
Another great way to serve Scalidi Cookies is alongside other Italian Christmas treats, such as Struffoli (Italian fried dough balls) or Bow Tie Cookies (also known as “Koeksisters”). These classic Italian desserts make for an impressive spread during holiday gatherings and add authenticity to the meal.
In addition to these suggestions, feel free to experiment on your own! Scalidi Cookies are incredibly versatile and can complement a wide variety of flavors. Get creative with your pairings and discover new combinations that you love.
However you choose to serve your Scalidi Cookies, we recommend serving them fresh from the oven or at room temperature. These cookies are always best when they’re freshly baked, so make sure to plan ahead accordingly.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you’re planning to make Scalidi cookies ahead of time, you can do so! This recipe makes quite a few cookies at once, so it’s great for stocking up on this treat. You can freeze the cookie dough tray in the freezer for an hour or two to solidify the dough, then transfer them to a plastic bag, label and date it. The frozen dough can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.
When you’re ready to bake them, you can let the cookie dough thaw before baking. Preheat your oven accordingly and bake as instructed. Or if you want warm cookies right away, go ahead and bake them straight from the freezer—but add 2-3 more minutes to the bake time.
After baking, you can store Scalidi cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper or wax paper on your counter or pantry. However, please note that these baked goods tend to dry out quickly once they’ve been exposed to air for too long. Be sure to eat your fresh batch within 3-5 days—trust us, shouldn’t be a problem once you taste them!
If you plan on serving Scalidi cookies as part of a holiday party or event spread later on, consider increasing your recipe and preparing them ahead of time so they are ready when you need them.
Finally, if you end up with leftovers (we know it’s rare!) or if you’d like to save some Scalidi cookies for later, placing them in the freezer could be the solution. They stay pretty well in terms of texture for around 4-6 weeks. Bring them back to life by reheating them in a preheated oven for a few minutes until they turn crispy again.
Store-bought cookies may be convenient and quick, but fresh-baked ones just taste so much better!
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you are getting ready to start baking your Scalidi cookies, here are some tips and recommendations that will help you get perfect results every time:
1. Measure precisely: Baking is a science, and precision is key. Be sure to measure all ingredients precisely, especially the flour. For best results, use a kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients rather than measuring them by volume.
2. Chill the dough: After you have prepared the cookie dough, chill it before baking to give the scalidi cookies a better texture and prevent them from spreading too much. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight.
3. Use parchment paper: To prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will make it easier to remove the cookies from the pan without breaking them.
4. Keep an eye on the oven temperature: The temperature of your oven can vary due to many factors such as altitude, humidity, and ambient temperature. Invest in a good oven thermometer to ensure that your oven’s temperature is accurate.
5. Rotate the pans: When baking multiple batches of Scalidi cookies, be sure to rotate the pans halfway through the bake time to ensure even baking.
6. Don’t overbake: The ideal time for baking Scalidi cookies is between 8-10 minutes, depending on your oven. Keep an eye on them as they bake, and take them out once they are lightly golden brown around the edges.
7. Store them properly: Store your Scalidi cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for longer storage.
By following these tips, you’ll be sure to get perfect results every time you make this delicious Italian Christmas cookie recipe!
FAQ
Before concluding this Scalidi Cookies Recipe article, I would like to address some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about these cookies. If you have any doubts or concerns before trying out this recipe, make sure to check out this section.
What is a Scalidi?
When it comes to Christmas celebrations in Calabria, Italy’s southern region, one traditional pastry takes the center stage. Known as “scaliddi,” these fried dough treats are given the shape of stairs or “scale” in Italian and are coated with an ample amount of honey for added crunchiness and flavor.
What are Italian’s cookies?
Looking for a quick and easy cookie recipe that is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea? Why not try these delicious Italian S Cookies, also known as Biscotti Esse? These simple cookies can be enjoyed as a breakfast treat or as a snack any time of day. Read on to learn how to make them!
What is the difference between rolled cookies and molded cookies?
When it comes to making cookies, there are several different methods you can use depending on the type you want to bake. One way is by rolling out the dough like you would with pastry and cutting it into the desired shape. This works well for sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies. Another method is to shape the cookie dough into a cylinder, wrap it in parchment or plastic wrap and chill it before slicing and baking. This is called the icebox method. Lastly, you can shape the cookie dough by hand or use a mold to create unique shapes and designs. All of these methods are great options for creating delicious homemade cookies.
Can you freeze Italian sprinkle cookie dough?
Saving cookie dough for later use is a smart move. To keep it fresh and tasty, you can store it in an airtight container and freeze it for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge. Once it’s thawed, shape it into the desired size and bake the cookies as directed. Alternatively, if you prefer individual cookies, use a cookie scoop to shape the dough balls and place them on a baking sheet. This way, you can save time and have fresh baked cookies whenever you want.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Scalidi Cookies Recipe is a delicious, easy-to-make recipe that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich blend of Italian flavors and simple ingredients like honey, flour, and butter, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends.
Whether you are looking for an indulgent treat for Christmas or simply want a quick snack to enjoy with your coffee in the afternoon, this recipe is the perfect choice. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how delicious these cookies can be?
With just a few simple substitutions and variations, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your own tastes and preferences. And with some helpful tips and tricks from our expert bakers, you can enjoy perfect results every time.
So what are you waiting for? Get baking today and discover why the Scalidi Cookies Recipe is one of the most beloved traditional Italian Christmas cookies out there!
Scalidi Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 eggs (11 will just have yolks used)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, cooled
- 1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- flour, as needed
- vegetable oil, for covering dough surface
- quality oil (for frying)
- honey, for boiling
Instructions
- Melt butter, allow to cool to room temperature. Allow eggs to warm to room temperature. Separate yolks from 11 eggs, keep 12th egg whole. Have deep fryer available.
- Beat yolks and whole egg in electric mixer.
- until thick and lemon colored (about 25 minutes). Slowly add sugar and salt after eggs have been beating for 15 minutes. When eggs are thickened, add cooled butter. Mix baking powder with a 1 tablespoons flour, add to egg mixture. Continue adding flour a little at a time until you form medium-firm dough. Knead dough until it is smooth. Oil surface of dough, cover and let rest for 1/2 hour. Hand roll chunks of rested dough into 1/4 inch thickness rope-like lengths. Cut rolled dough lengths into 6 inch long pieces. Loop pieces into pretzel-like shapes. Fry in deep fat until golden brown. When cool, dip one at a time into boiling honey to glaze. Allow to cool on rack with paper towel under rack.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Steven is a chef by heritage, so it’s no wonder why baking is such a big part of who he is. To share his passion for all things sweet, he created cookiesncrepes.com. It’s the perfect platform to indulge in delicious treats, all with a sprinkle of his signature flare.