The cuzzupe are delicious traditional Calabrian cookies prepared for Easter, symbolizing rebirth and prosperity.
Similar preparations can also be found in other Italian regions, where they take slightly different names and variations (scarcelle, cuddure, pupe, etc…), but they retain the same symbolic meaning linked to Easter.
Every family has its own recipe, passed down through generations; it represents a sweet ritual that brings the whole family together around the holiday table. With their slightly crunchy exterior and soft interior, they are perfect both for breakfast and as an after-meal dessert. The egg, often placed on top of the dough, symbolizes life and fertility, making these treats not only tasty but also full of meaning.
Made with simple, genuine ingredients such as flour, eggs and sugar, cuzzupe can be flavored with lemon or vanilla, and are traditionally decorated with colored sprinkles for a festive touch. They are ideal for celebrating Easter with authenticity and flavor. Discover how to make them at home with this easy and irresistible recipe!
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- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 1 Hour
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Easter
Ingredients to make Cuzzupe
- 8 cups 00 flour (Italian type 00)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/3 cups butter (soft)
- 4 eggs
- 8 tsp baking powder (two sachets)
- 3 tbsp milk
- 2 pinches salt
- 2 packets vanillin (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- hard-boiled eggs (for decoration)
- sprinkles (for decoration)
Tools
- Cookie cutters letters
- Stand mixer
- Pastry board
- Rolling pins
- Mould heart
- Cutters flower
Steps
We will prepare the cuzzupe quickly, using instant baking powder, and I will give you some tips to make a perfect and tasty pastry. Keep reading to discover all the secrets of my Easter cuzzupe!
Start by boiling the eggs you will use for decoration! In a small pot add the eggs, cover them with water and add the magic egg cooking timer! This will help you avoid mistakes with the cooking time of the eggs. If you don’t have the magic egg, cook them about 12 minutes over medium heat.
In a stand mixer or large bowl, mix the butter with the sugar and work quickly until you obtain a cream; add one egg at a time (making sure the previous one is fully absorbed), the pinch of salt, the milk, the vanillin and gradually the sifted baking powder and flour.
Move to a floured work surface and, if the dough still needs it, add a little more flour and knead until you obtain a homogeneous and smooth dough. Roll out the dough and shape your Easter cuzzupe!
I started from a 20 cm heart-shaped mold; with a bit of dough I formed a braid to create a sort of basket and placed it over the heart, I positioned the (previously boiled) egg inside the nest, covered it with another braid to form the handle of the basket. Decorated with little flowers, sprinkles and the lettering “BUONA PASQUA”
I repeated the procedure for the whole amount of dough, creating other shapes guided by imagination! Here are the photos!
Place your cuzzupe on the baking tray, brush them with a little milk, sprinkle with a little sugar and bake in a preheated oven at 356°F for about 30 minutes.
Remove the cuzzupe from the oven and let them cool completely before serving.
Happy baking and Happy Easter!
Tips
For medium-sized cuzzupe, estimate a baking time of 20 minutes.
Perfect to enjoy with family or to give as a gift to loved ones!
They are also perfect for breakfast, dipped in milk!!!
