Today I share with you my befanini, the traditional Tuscan cookies prepared for Epiphany. They are simple sweets, born in the homes of Versilia and Lucchesia, perfect for cheerfully ending the Christmas holidays.
The befanini are shortcrust cookies infused with citrus and liquor, characterized by classic shapes and the bright colors of sugar sprinkles. This is an easy recipe, its strength lies in the genuine flavor of a handmade dough, created to be stored for a long time or dunked in milk. Come with me, let’s start baking.
Happy baking, Giusi.
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
- Portions: 9 People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients for befanini
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 oz butter
- 1 orange zest (from one orange)
- 2 tbsp rum (optional)
- 1 packet baking powder
- 3 eggs
- as needed Sugar sprinkles
Steps for befanini
In a bowl, mix the flour with the butter.
Add the sugar and baking powder and mix well.
Pour in the previously beaten eggs along with the rum and orange zest.
Work the dough until you create a homogeneous dough ball.
If necessary, add more flour or, if you need more liquid, add a few tablespoons of milk little by little; this depends on the size of the eggs you will use.Once the dough ball is formed, wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
After the resting time, take the dough ball and divide it in two to ease rolling out.
Roll out on a floured surface to make a sheet about 1/8-3/16 inches thick.
Once your shapes are created, place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Brush with a beaten egg and decorate with the desired sugar sprinkles.Bake at 355°F in a static preheated oven for 20 minutes in the center of the oven.
The befanini are ready to be enjoyed. I hope you liked this recipe, see you next time.
Storage
These cookies stay crisp for several days, provided they are kept in a dry place. The best way is to store them in a tin box or a glass container with an airtight lid. This way, they will remain excellent throughout the week of Epiphany, ready to be enjoyed for breakfast or a snack.
