Matchstick Cookies

Matchstick cookies are crispy and delicious treats, perfect to accompany tea or coffee. Here’s how to make them.

Ingredients

• 200 g of type 00 flour
• 100 g of cold butter, cut into pieces
• 80 g of powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 pinch of salt
• Grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)
• 150 g of dark chocolate
• Colored sprinkles or hazelnut/sugar nibs for decoration

Preparation

1. In the bowl of a mixer, put the flour, cold butter pieces, powdered sugar, egg, egg yolk, pinch of salt, and lemon zest.
2. Run the mixer until a homogeneous dough is obtained.
3. Wrap the dough in cling film and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
5. Roll out the dough until it reaches a thickness of about 5 mm.
6. Cut the dough into long, thin strips, similar to matchsticks.
7. Place the strips on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler.
9. Once the cookies have cooled down, dip one end into the melted chocolate, then into the colored sprinkles or hazelnut/sugar nibs.
10. Let the chocolate set before serving.

Fun Facts

The name “matchstick cookies” comes from their shape, which resembles matchsticks, especially after being dipped in chocolate and decorated. They are particularly loved by children for their playful look and can be customized with different types of decorations depending on the occasion.

If you want a more Italian twist, you could add a little orange liqueur to the dough to give a more local flavor or substitute the hazelnut nibs with chopped almonds to evoke traditional Italian flavors.