In the culinary realm of Italian pastries, the delightful treat known as "Italian Cenci Cookies" captivates taste buds with its crispy, delicate texture and enchanting flavors. These cookies, often referred to as "chiacchiere" in their native tongue, hold a special place in the hearts of Italians and are a beloved tradition during festive occasions like Carnival. Experience the symphony of flavors and textures as you bite into these ethereal cookies, characterized by their intricate, twisted shapes that resemble ribbons. Join us on a journey to discover the best recipe for "Italian Cenci Cookies," where we'll unveil the secrets behind their irresistible allure.
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ITALIAN CENCI COOKIES
My mother brought this special family recipe from Europe a century ago. Cenci can be "dressed up" for any holiday-at Easter, I sprinkle yellow, pink and lavender jelly beans over them, and for Christmas, red and green candy sprinkles give the cenci a festive look. Even without the garnish, they always disappear fast! -Anna Coduto, Fullerton, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 50m
Yield about 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a bowl, beat eggs, sugar and salt until frothy. Stir in vanilla. Sift flour with baking powder; gradually add to batter. Add butter and mix well. Turn out onto a floured surface; knead for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half; roll each half as thin as possible (noodle thickness). Cut into 5-in. x 1-in. strips with a knife or scalloped pastry wheel. , Preheat oil to 375°; fry cookies until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Cookies are best served the same day.
Nutrition Facts :
CENCI (FRIED DOUGH BOWS WITH CONFECTIONER'S SUGAR)
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients in a food processor. Roll thin with a rolling pin into a rectangle 8-inches long. Cut into strips approximately 1-inch by 8-inches. Twist the pieces softly and tie into a loose bow. Deep fry in oil until golden. Remove from the oil and sprinkle heavily with confectioner's sugar.
CENCI--ITALIAN BOW TIES
Florentine Love Knot Cookies :There are many regional variations of these sweet fried confections. The best-known Carnival pastries are Cenci (the word means rags), whose many aliases include Frappe, Chiacchere (gossips), Lattughe (lettuce leaves) and Nastrini (ribbons), while they are also called the more poetic "Lover's Knots." They are very pretty when carefully made.. To make a batch you'll need:
Provided by Phil Franco
Categories Healthy
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Make a fairly stiff dough with these ingredients, kneading it thoroughly, and adding more flour if it comes out too soft. Flour it and let it rest, covered, for about an hour.
- Then roll it out into an eighth-of-an-inch-thick sheet, and use a serrated pastry wheel to cut it into strips 4 inches long and two and one half inches wide. Make a cut down the middle of each cencio (so as to obtain two strips joined at the ends), twist the side strips without breaking them,
- Fry them in hot oil or lard, and dust them with confectioners sugar when they're cool. This recipe is sufficient to make a platterful. Should the dough have formed a crust while it sat, knead it again before you roll it out.
- My Mom also drizzles honey before the confectioners sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 339.4, Fat 8.8, SaturatedFat 4.5, Cholesterol 121, Sodium 166.6, Carbohydrate 52.3, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 10.3, Protein 8.9
CENCI
These sweet Italian cookies are often referred to as Lovers' Knots because of their knotted shaped. They're most often eaten at carnival time in February, but they make a delight treat anytime of the year. I found the recipe in the Italian cookbook "Italian Kitchen" that was part of a Barnes & Noble series called World Cook's Collection.
Provided by Northwestgal
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Yield 24 Cenci cookies, 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl, then stir in the sugar. Add the egg, and stir with a fork until it is evenly mixed with the flour. Gradually add the rum and continue mixing until the dough draws together.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth. Divide the dough into quarters.
- Roll each dough piece out to a 6x3-inch rectangle, and trim to make them straight. Cut each rectangle lengthwise into six strips 1/2-inch wide. Tie each strip into a simple knot.
- Heat the oil in a deep-fry fryer to a temperature of 375°F Deep-fry the knots in batches for 1-2 minutes, or until crisp and lightly golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel.
- Serve warm, dusted with confectioner's sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 31.3, Fat 0.3, SaturatedFat 0.1, Cholesterol 7.8, Sodium 17.1, Carbohydrate 5.7, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.7, Protein 0.9
Tips:
- Use cold butter. This will help the dough stay flaky and prevent it from spreading too much in the oven.
- Work the dough quickly. Overworking the dough will make the cookies tough.
- Chill the dough before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
- Bake the cookies until they are golden brown. This will ensure that they are cooked through.
- Let the cookies cool completely before serving. This will allow them to firm up and develop their full flavor.
Conclusion:
Cenci cookies are a delicious and easy-to-make Italian cookie that is perfect for any occasion. With their crispy texture and sweet flavor, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give cenci cookies a try!
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