San Biagio ring cookies. On February third we celebrate Saint Blaise, protector of the throat. So in Italy, from the days before, people prepare ring-shaped cookies flavored with anise. Anise because: this herb has small fruits — in reality we call them seeds — and they help us fight colds, asthma and bronchitis. Even the Greeks knew the properties of this plant; Pliny recommended drinking wine flavored with anise even to cure scorpion stings. In England, in the early decades of the fourteenth century, King Edward I imposed a sales tax to raise the funds needed to repair London Bridge. It is simple to grow and then dry to have this pleasant aroma at hand, which is also used to make liqueurs to flavor desserts and coffee.
There are hundreds of recipes to prepare for this occasion; this is one of many.
Soft and fragrant, they give a delicate and tasty moment to our breakfast.
Other traditional preparations dedicated to saints can be found below:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 3 Hours
- Preparation time: 1 Hour
- Cooking time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 10 ring cookies
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: San Biagio
Ingredients — San Biagio Ring Cookies
Simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
- 8 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 1/3 tbsp sunflower oil
- 3 eggs
- to taste anise powder
- 0.9 oz fresh baker's yeast (compressed)
- 1 egg yolk (For brushing)
- 1/4 cup milk (For brushing)
Tools — San Biagio Ring Cookies
All the tools I use can be found in my shopping recommendations
- Planetary Mixers
- Bowls
Steps — San Biagio Ring Cookies
A simple dough with a double rise. Then the scent of anise and soft goodness.
Let the yeast dissolve in a little warm milk taken from the total amount, add it to the flour and then add all the other ingredients. I did not weigh the anise. If you like it, you can be generous; otherwise add just enough to give a pleasant aromatic note.
Knead well until you obtain a smooth dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place, but do not exceed a temperature of 86°F. I recommend using the oven with a small pot of boiling water placed on the bottom. This also avoids drafts and helps maintain good humidity.
After the necessary time, take the dough and divide it into equal pieces; I made 10 pieces to get finished rings of about 6 inches (15 cm); if you prefer you can make smaller pieces. Let rise again until doubled and before baking brush with the yolk and milk mixed together and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake in a preheated oven at 356°F for about 30 minutes.
Your San Biagio ring cookies are ready. If you can resist, wait before tasting them.
Excellent also served with a drizzle of jam or dunked in hot chocolate.
A few extra tips
You can choose to make just two large rings and cut them into slices. Or braid the dough to make a crown. Imagination in the kitchen plays an important role. By tradition, anise is used to ward off throat ailments and the ring shape was practical for transporting the cookies: they were once threaded on a stick, hung on the arm after leaving Mass, or decorated with ribbons to be given as gifts. The ring shape also recalls the circularity of the seasons and the never-ending divine protection.
