Italian S Cookies Esse Biscotti Recipes

ITALIAN BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 165 degrees C ).
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time; beat until fluffy. Stir in the anise and vanilla extracts. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; Add them to the egg mixture along with the chopped almonds. Stir with a spoon and as the dough comes together, Knead by hand.
• Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each piece into a log about 15 inches long. Place logs onto cookie sheets, 2 to a sheet, the long way. Flatten the logs out until they are about 3 inches wide with a slight hump going down the middle. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, loaves should be firm. Cut the loaves into diagonal slices 1/2 inch wide, place the slices onto the cookie sheets and return to the oven. Toast on one side, then turn them over to do the other side. This will take about 7 to 10 minutes.

ITALIAN S COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Position rack to middle.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs on medium-high speed until nice and frothy (about 3-4 minutes).
• Slowly add sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined and slightly thickened (about 2 minutes).
• Add the oil, extract, and zest. Combine well.
• Remove bowl from stand.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon until well combined, dough will be soft.
• Scoop dough with a medium-sized cookie scoop and drop on a lightly floured surface (approximately 2 tablespoon or 25 grams).
• Roll out each piece in a 4-5 inch strand about ½ inch in diameter.
• Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and form into an S shape.
• Brush the tops of cookies with egg yolk mixture.
• OPTIONAL: sprinkle with sugar
• Bake for 15-17 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned (this is a pale cookie).
• Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES (BISCOTTI)

Steps:

• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
• Cream together shortening and white sugar in a bowl until creamy. Add 1 egg at a time, mixing well after each. Add 2 teaspoons anise extract and vanilla extract. Slowly add milk and mix until all ingredients are blended. Slowly add flour mixture, and mix until thick but creamy. Place dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Coat a work surface and hands with flour. Take a quarter-sized piece of dough and roll into a long narrow sausage shape. Form into desired shapes, such as "s" shapes, twists, candy canes, letters, etc. Cookies will puff up when baked, so be sure each cookie is only about the width of a pinky finger. Place cookies on a baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.
• Bake in the preheated oven until light golden in color and golden brown on the bottom, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl and add 2 teaspoons anise extract. Mix in milk 1 tablespoon at a time until icing is smooth and creamy and not too drippy. Coat cooled cookies with icing and top with sprinkles.

ITALIAN S COOKIES / ESSE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a small bowl beat slightly the egg yolks, whole egg, zest and vanilla.
• In a large bowl add the flour, make a well in the middle and add the butter, sugar, salt and egg mixture. With a fork mix until almost combined, then move to a lightly floured flat surface. Knead gently to combine (don't over knead). Dough will be soft. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate one hour.
• Pre-heat oven to 400 F (200 C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove dough from the fridge and break off small pieces of dough, soften the dough slightly between your finger and roll into approximately 4-6 inches, form into an S shape. Place on prepared cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 320F (150C) and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool completely before serving. Enjoy.