Raisin and Pine Nut Biscuits

Raisin and pine nut biscuits are delicious little treats that combine the sweetness of raisins with the slightly resinous flavor of pine nuts. Here is how you can prepare them:

Ingredients

• 200 g of all-purpose flour
• 100 g of sugar
• 100 g of butter at room temperature
• 1 egg
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 packet of baking powder
• 80 g of raisins
• 50 g of pine nuts
• Grated zest of 1 organic or untreated lemon

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Soak the raisins in hot water for about 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry with kitchen paper to remove excess water.
3. In a bowl, cream the soft butter with the sugar until you get a smooth and fluffy mixture.
4. Add the egg and continue to work the dough.
5. Mix in the sifted flour with the baking powder, a pinch of salt, and the grated lemon zest. Mix well until you have a smooth and homogeneous dough.
6. Incorporate the well-drained raisins and pine nuts, distributing them evenly in the dough.
7. Take small portions of dough and form balls, then flatten them slightly to shape the biscuits.
8. Place the biscuits on the prepared tray, leaving some space between each one.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden.
10. Let the biscuits cool on the tray for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to complete cooling.

Trivia

Raisins and pine nuts are typical ingredients in Italian pastry, especially in Tuscany-originated recipes. For instance, they are widely used in the preparation of the classic castagnaccio.

If you want an even more Italian touch and you have some Vin Santo available, you can use it to soak the raisins instead of water. This will give the biscuits an even more typical aroma and a unique character. Enjoy your baking!