The Cookies of Saint Anthony are typical sweets from lower Mantua, a very ancient recipe that exists in different versions.
This particular recipe can be made in the shape of an ‘S’, as I did, or a small loaf. I preferred the ‘S’ shape to specifically represent the Saint.
In ancient times, this recipe was made without the addition of baking powder, resulting in very hard cookies. Nowadays, they have been slightly transformed by adding baking powder to make them softer.
When they were made in the harder version, it was often because the cookies were almost always intended to be dipped in wine. However, this way, they can also be enjoyed as a simple breakfast cookie.
I made the Cookies of Saint Anthony by kneading with my bread machine, the Croustina Panasonic, which was a great help.
If you make this or other recipes from my blog, send me a photo. If you’d like, I’ll post it on my Facebook page with your name.
About 98 kcal per cookie
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 19 cookies
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Winter
Ingredients to make the Cookies of Saint Anthony
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- vanillin
- Grated zest of one lemon
- 2 tbsp Marsala wine
- 1 egg (medium)
- 5 tbsp butter
- as needed milk
- 2 tbsp sugar (granulated)
Preparation of the Cookies of Saint Anthony
If you make the dough in the bread machine, add the ingredients in the order listed, set the machine on the dough program; for mine, it’s number 17, and start the machine.
When the dough has worked for 15-20 minutes, stop…..
…..transfer the dough to a surface and form it into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
If you make the dough classically by hand or with a hand mixer, combine all the ingredients, knead, and then complete on a work surface, proceeding as described.
After resting the dough in the fridge, take the dough, create strips about 6 inches long, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and shape them into an ‘S’.
Brush with milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Bake in a preheated oven at 340°F for 30 minutes.
Depending on how thick the strips are, you will have more or fewer cookies, and the cooking time will vary depending on whether they are thicker or thinner.
Once cooked, let them cool a bit before eating.
