You might be wondering: what are roccocò? They are nothing more than traditional Neapolitan cookies, indispensable on tables during the Christmas period. They are very easy to prepare, and what makes them so flavorful and fragrant is the pisto, a spice blend based on cloves, nutmeg, and star anise.
Besides this delicious dessert, you cannot miss the mostaccioli.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 50 Minutes
- Portions: 15 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Epiphany, Christmas
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp pisto
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup mixed candied citron and orange
- 6 oz almonds
- 1/2 tsp baking ammonia
- 1 orange (zest)
- 1 lemon (zest)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup honey
- as needed almonds
Roccocò Steps
To prepare the roccocò, start by toasting the almonds in a pan over low heat for 4-5 minutes, let them cool slightly, and chop them. Place them in the bowl of a food processor along with the sugar, activate the blades, and grind everything into a powder.
In a bowl, pour the flour, baking ammonia (if you don’t have it available, you can use baking powder by doubling the amount), the previously chopped almonds and sugar, the pisto, the diced candied fruit (citron and orange), and the grated zest of the orange and lemon. Finally, add the honey and water and knead everything until you get a homogeneous mixture.
Divide the dough into pieces weighing 2 oz and form sticks about 3/4 inch thick and 6-7 inches long. Shape each stick into a ring and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Brush the surface of the roccocò with the beaten egg using a brush; if you like, you can add some almonds for decoration.
Bake in a static oven preheated to 350°F for about 20-25 minutes. Once baked, remove them and let them cool on a rack before enjoying.
Storage and Roccocò Tips
These delicious Christmas cookies can be stored for up to two weeks in a tin container, at room temperature.
The baking times allow for softer roccocò (about 20 minutes) or harder ones (about 25 minutes), depending on your preference.
