Best Nanas Pepper Cookies Tarralli Recipes

GRANDMA ANNA'S ITALIAN PEPPER COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, pepper, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves for cookies together into a large bowl.
• Place shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second increments until melted. Pour into dry ingredients and mix with a spoon.
• Add milk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla; mix with a spoon to combine. Add raisins, chopped walnuts, and finely chopped walnuts and mix with your hands to combine. Roll dough into small balls and set 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• Prepare glaze while cookies cool. Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Add milk, orange juice, and orange zest and mix until smooth.
• Brush glaze onto cooled cookies or spread with a spoon. Decorate with sprinkles.

BISCOTTI DI PEPE - TARALLI - ITALIAN PEPPER BISCUITS

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in water.
• Sift flour salt and pepper onto mixing board.
• Make a well in the center and add yeast and oil.
• Blend together and gradually incorporate into flour.
• The dough will be stiff.
• Knead 10 minutes.
• Place in oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover with towel and let rise until doubled in bulk.
• Preheat oven to 375º.
• Break off small pieces of dough and roll into ropes about 6 inches long.
• Form a ring and pinch edges together.
• Place on baking sheet and let rise 20 minutes.
• Brush with oil and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

AUTHENTIC TARALLI

Steps:

• Combine flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, oil, and wine in a stand mixer. Mix ingredients using the paddle attachment until a ball forms. Switch to the dough hook and knead dough for 10 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat and add the remaining salt. Spread a large, clean cloth out on a counter or table.
• Pinch off a walnut-sized piece of dough once kneading has finished. Roll dough piece into a snake about 2 1/2 inches long. Form a tear drop shape, lightly pressing the two ends together to seal them into a ring. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Turn down the boiling water to a low boil. Drop taralli into the water a few at a time. Do not stir; they will sink at first, then begin to float. Remove floating taralli with a slotted spoon. Place them on the clean cloth and continue until all the taralli have boiled and are drained on the cloth. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until taralli are golden and firm on the outside, but still soft on the inside, about 40 minutes. Cool completely and rest for at least 1 hour before serving. Wrap with a clean cloth or place in a paper bag; store at room temperature for up to 1 week.

NANA'S PEPPER COOKIES "TARRALLI"

Steps:

• In a small pan, heat the oil until just warm to the touch (maybe 70-80°F), and set aside.
• In a small pan, heat wine until very warm to the touch (about 100°F).
• Sprinkle yeast over the warm wine and let sit for several minutes until it softens; then stir to mix.
• In a large bowl, add all the other ingredients, including the warm oil.
• Add the wine/yeast mixture to the bowl.
• Use your hands to mix everything well, until a dough is formed.
• Turn dough out onto an unfloured board; knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
• Place dough in a clean, dry bowl.
• Cover the dough with a clean, damp, kitchen towel (not terry cloth), and let rise for about 30 to 60 minutes in a warm place.
• Cut the dough into small pieces.
• Roll each piece into a long, thin, rope (about the thickness of your little finger).
• Cut the rolled ropes of dough into 4-inch long pieces and join the two ends of each piece together so that it forms a round, doughnut like shape.
• Continue the rolling and shaping with all the remaining dough.
• Heat oven to 350-375°F Fill a pot with water, and bring to a rolling boil.
• Drop the shaped dough into the boiling water (a few at a time).
• When the taralli come to the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon, and place them on a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth) to dry.
• When all the taralli have been boiled and dried, place them on a cookie sheet and bake them for about 15-20 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
• Remove from cookie sheet and cool on a rack.
• When cool, serve with a glass of wine for dunking.