Rusticotti

Rusticotti are delicious dry cookies, typical of some Italian regions, ideal for soaking in milk or coffee. The dough for these cookies is quite simple and can be enriched with citrus zest or spices such as cinnamon, to add an extra touch. Here is the basic recipe for preparing Rusticotti:

Ingredients

• 500 g of type 00 flour
• 200 g of sugar
• 100 g of butter at room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 1 packet of baking powder
• Milk as needed (q.b.)
• A pinch of salt
• Grated lemon zest or vanillin (optional for flavoring)

Preparation

1. In a bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder and a pinch of salt.
2. In another bowl, cream the soft butter with the sugar until the mixture is fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time to the mixture of butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, making sure to blend well to avoid lumps.
5. If the dough is too dry, add a little milk until you get a soft but workable consistency.
6. Incorporate the grated lemon zest or vanillin, according to personal preference.
7. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface, then divide it into small pieces that will be rolled to form cylinders about 10 cm long and 2-3 cm in diameter.
8. Cut the cylinders diagonally to obtain rustic cookies.
9. Place the Rusticotti on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown.
10. Take the Rusticotti out of the oven and let them cool on a rack before serving.

Curiosity

Rusticotti, as their name suggests, are cookies with a simple shape and a homemade taste. There is no single version of this recipe because every family has its own variant that has been handed down from generation to generation. Some add chopped dried fruit, such as hazelnuts or almonds, to enrich the dough. In keeping with Italian tradition, every modification made blends with the roots of the original recipe to create new delights to discover.