NZUDDI SWEET ALMOND cookies Sicilian recipe, almond cookies from Catania with candied orange, cinnamon scented, easy and quick to prepare.
Today we talk about scents, traditions, and sweet memories because the Nzuddi almond cookies are not just cookies: they are a piece of authentic Sicily, one that smells of orange, toasted almonds, and cinnamon.
They are the All Saints’ Day cookies, prepared in Catania and many other parts of Sicily for the Feast of All Saints.
Every year in November, homes fill with that irresistible aroma coming from the oven, and if you ask a Sicilian grandmother for the Nzuddi recipe, she’ll reply with a smile and ‘it takes love and patience’.
But the truth? These Sicilian cookies are so easy that the dough doesn’t even require resting! You prepare them, bake them, and in less than half an hour, you have a tray of golden and crunchy on the outside, soft inside cookies.
Their magic lies in the toasted almonds, the grated orange zest, and that pinch of cinnamon that smells like a holiday. And even though they are linked to the Feast of the Dead, I now prepare them all year round: perfect with tea, coffee, or as a little sweet gift.
Join me in the kitchen today for the sweet almond nzuddi!
Published
September 18, 2014 20:46
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Day of the Dead
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour (the one you usually use)
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg white
- 1 tbsp honey
- candied orange zest
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baker's ammonia
Steps
Toast the almonds in a pan, oven, or air fryer, then chop them and set aside. Whip the egg white and set aside.
In a bowl, place the flour, ammonia, honey, almonds, sugar, chopped candied orange, cinnamon, egg white, and add water a little at a time until you get a firm but slightly sticky dough.
Dust the surface with flour and sugar, take pieces of dough, and form round cookies about 2 inches wide and 0.4 inches high.
Place them on parchment paper, put an almond in the center, and bake in a preheated fan oven at 392°F until golden, then lower the temperature to 212°F and continue baking for 10 minutes, no more.
Bon appétit
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NZUDDI SWEET ALMOND cookies Sicilian recipe
Tips from the blogger
Use toasted almonds: the flavor changes completely!
Add a teaspoon of orange blossom honey to make them softer and more fragrant.
For a more rustic version, replace half of the almond flour with semolina flour.
For a chic touch, decorate them with a whole almond on top before baking.
And if you have any leftovers (which is unlikely 😅), store them in a tin box: they stay perfect for days.
Curiosity and Tradition
The name “Nzuddi” is believed to derive from “Vincenzo” because in the past these cookies were made by the Vincenziane Sisters of Catania.
They were offered to children during the feast of the dead, along with sweets and dried fruit, to sweetly remember those who are no longer with us.
A symbolic gesture, full of affection, which today is passed down more for its deliciousness than for religious rites.
And do you want to know the truth? Every Catania bakery has its version, some make them taller and softer, others drier and crunchier… but they all smell like home.
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FAQ NZUDDI SWEET ALMOND cookies Sicilian recipe
Can they be made in advance?
Of course! In fact, they are even better the day after when the flavors blend together.
Can I use ready-made almond flour?
Yes, but if you can, chop toasted almonds at home: the taste will be more intense.
Can they be made without almond flour?
Yes, if you want, but you would lose their identity: Nzuddi must taste like almonds and festivity.
Can they be flavored differently?
You can replace the orange zest with lemon or add a pinch of cloves for a spicier touch.
In summary: why you’ll love these Nzuddi
They are made in minutes
They smell like orange and cinnamon
They are perfect for gifting or serving with tea
They tell an ancient and sweet story
And above all… one leads to another!
