Spiced chocolate walnut cookies

Spiced chocolate walnut cookies

 

The holidays are a time for nostalgia and sweet indulgence, and what better way to capture the seasons magic than spiced chocolate walnut cookies. These rich , flavorful treats combine the warmth of holiday spices, the crunch of walnuts, and the decadence of chocolate, creating a cookie that feels as comforting as a crackling fire on a cold winter night.

Perfect for cookie exchange, dessert platters or enjoying with your favorite warm drink. These cookies are a holiday essential you will want to make more often than just the holiday season.

Tips when you make these spiced chocolate walnut cookies

  1. Use fresh spices: Spices lose potency after some time. Fresh cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves deliver the best flavor.
  2. Measure carefully: Avoid dense cookies by properly measuring the flour- don’t pack it !
  3. Chill the dough: Refrigerate the dough to prevent spreading and deepen flavors
  4. Don’t overbake: pull the cookies when the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft- they will firm up as they cool
  5. Storing the cookies: Keep cookies soft by storing them with a slice of bread in an airtight container, or they can be frozen and thawed out when you are ready to serve. Follow this simple tips for cookies that are perfectly chewy, spicy and irresistible!!!!

Ingredients

  • 1 stick of butter at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened chocolate coco
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 Tsp. each cinnamon + nutmeg + cloves
  • 1 Tsp. baking powder
  • 1 Tsp. baking soda
  • 1 cup powder sugar

Instructions

  1. Pre heat your oven to 375-degrees
  2. In a bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add in the vanilla and egg and mix until well combined
  4. Mix the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves  and coco powder
  5. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix until well mixed. Then mix in the walnuts.
  6. Roll the cookie dough into tablespoon size balls. Roll in the powder sugar
  7. bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet for 10 -12 minutes. ENJOY!!!


Italian Fennel Taralli

Italian Fennel taralli

Taralli, a classic  Italian crunchy salty snack. kind of like a bread stick, shaped in a circle. They are made with a few simple ingredients, flour. olive oil and wine, and flavored with different herbs, like rosemary, oregano. or my personal favorite fennel seeds.

Growing up with them I remember the smell  of the fennel seeds baking and the unique twist of each ring. They’re such a classic Italian snack, perfect with a glass of wine or just a bite between meals. In every crunchy bite of Italian fennel  taralli  there is a  connection to  Italy’s rich culinary heritage and comforting reminders of childhood.

here are some ways to eat Italian fennel taralli

Growning up, you’d see the adults enjoying Taralli – those crunchy fennel- flavored snacks with a glass of red wine. They would dunk the taralli in the wine, letting them soak up a bit of the rich flavors before savoring every bite. it was a classic pairing, bring together the savory fennel with the earthy depth of red wine, creating a taste of tradition. Taralli  are versatile and can be enjoyed in more ways than just dunking in wine. They pair beautifully with a spread of Italian cheeses and cured meats, the perfect alternative to breadsticks.

Try dipping taralli in extra virgin olive oil seasoned with balsamic vinegar, black pepper and oregano. Or serve taralli with a variety of dips like olive tapenade, artichoke dip or even whipped ricotta. Enjoy taralli alongside a bowl of soup. they add a crunchy contrast to creamy soups. I use them crumbled over salads for extra crunch.

Whether you’re  sharing them with friends or savoring them solo, Italian fennel taralli  bring a little taste of Italian tradition.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 Tbsp. salt
  • 1 Tbsp. fennel seeds
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup white wine

Instructions

  1. Start by combining the flour, salt , baking powder and fennel seeds in a bowl. Make a well in the center add the olive oil and white wine.
  2. combine using your hands until a dough starts to form. Then knead the dough until smooth about 5 minutes. form into a disk cover  and let rest for 30 minutes,
  3. Meanwhile preheat your oven to 375 – degrees and  bring a large pot of water to a boil add 1 Tbsp. of salt.
  4.  Flour a work surface lightly cut the dough into 15 equal pieces . roll the dough into pencil thin 6 inch ropes. Form into a circle. pressing the ends together tightly using your hands.
  5. Drop a few Tarelli at a time into the boiling salted water. Once they float to the top, about 5 minutes remove and set a clean kitchen towel to dry out. Repeat the process until all the tarelli are boiled. Then let them dry completely before baking in the preheated oven for 15to 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.


crescent amaretti cookies

Crescent amaretti cookies

This classic Italian crescent amaretti cookies may be the easiest cookies recipe you will ever make.

Not only are these  almond cookies easy to make, they are gluten fee and there is no butter in these delicious cookies.

That’s right this recipe for crescent amaretti cookies  almond flour.

Giving them a delicate texture and nutty flavor. These cookies are often dusted with powder sugar and are popular during festive occasions. But they are so easy to make you will want to make them often.

 tips when making crescent amaretti cookies.

First after making the dough chill it for at least thirty minutes. Chilled dough is easier to handle and shape.

Second whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form to provide a light life to the cookies.

Third cool the cookies slightly before dusting with powder sugar.

These cookies keep well in an air tight container at room temperature for several days, or this cookies are freezer friendly.

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoon almond extract
  • 1 /2 cup powder sugar
  • 1 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  1. Beat the egg whites until stiff
  2. In a bowl 3 cups almond flour, the sugar and the almond extract
  3. Fold the whites into the almond flour mixture until well combined
  4. shape into two inch rope press into the the sliced almonds then form into a crescent shape
  5. Bake in a 350- degree oven for ten minutes
  6. Let the cookie cool before sprinkling with powder sugar. EnJoy!!!


Gluten Free Italian walnut cookies

Gluten free Italian walnut cookies

Hello Everyone!!! I didn’t think gluten free and Italian cookies could be in the same sentence.  Not only are these Italian walnut cookies gluten free, there is no flour or butter in these nutty cookies. Oh and the best part this cookie recipe only needs five ingredients, if you count the powder sugar they are rolled in!!!

Three tips for success when making gluten free Italian walnut cookies

First start with fresh high -quality walnuts and other ingredients. using fresh walnuts will enhance the flavor and texture of your cookies.

Second insure that the walnuts are finely ground to incorporate them evenly into the dough. This  will prevent large chunks from affecting the texture of the cookies and ensure a consistent taste in every bite.

And lastly you can adjust the amount of sugar in this gluten free Italian walnut cookie recipe to fit your lifestyle and taste. Experimentation with different ratios will help you find the prefect balance for your taste preference.

And please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make these gluten free Italian walnut cookies. I love hearing from you. It’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

  • 6 cups finely ground walnuts
  • 1 1/2 cups of sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 2 egg whites slightly beaten

powder sugar for rolling walnut half for decoration

Instructions

  1. Start by grinding the walnuts in a food processor until very fine
  2. stir in  the sugar and vanilla
  3. Add the slightly beaten egg whites mix until well combined
  4. Form into balls roll in powder sugar
  5. Place a walnut half in the center
  6. place on a parchment covered cookie sheet
  7. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for seven to 10 minutes. Enjoy!!!!


orange thumbprint cookie recipe

Orange Thumbprint cookie recipe

Orange zest thumbprint cookie are full of citrus flavors. These irresistible treats are not only pretty to look at but also delicious to eat. Buttery cookie delights baked, rolled in powder sugar and filled with jam. These tangy orange thumbprint cookie delights will brighten your day.

Variations for this orange thumbprint cookie recipe

The first variable in this orange thumbprint cookie recipe is the jam you use can be any jam or jelly that fits your lifestyle and taste. I used orange marmalade to compliment the orange flavorings in the cookie dough.

Second I used the juice and zest from one orange you can use the juice and zest from one lemon if you like, or a combination of both orange and lemon. Lastly be sure to hide some of these orange cookies for yourself. they tend to disappear quickly.

Here is a link to the hand  juicer I use https://amzn.to/3HguDfN

Ingredients

  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • juice and zest from one orange
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups of flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • orange marmalade
  • power sugar

Instructions

  1. Start by beating in a bowl the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy
  2. Add the egg, vanilla and the juice and zest from the orange beat until well blended
  3. Mix the baking power with the flour
  4. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix just until well combined
  5. Roll the  dough into golf size balls press your thumb in the center
  6. line a cookie sheet with parchment paper bake the cookies in a preheated 350-degree oven for7 to 10 minutes
  7. cool the cookies slightly then roll in the power sugar and fill the centers with the orange marmalade, DELICIOUS!!!!