Cartellata Cookies are deep-fried Italian cookies which are usually served around Christmas time, but I say why restrict yourself to only eating these delicious crispy cookies to one time of year? I tend to make these cookies for events when I’d like to serve a homemade treat with coffee.
The unusual thing about these cookies is the addition of white wine to the cookie dough! The wine not only adds flavor to the dough, it also prevents the cooking oil from foaming as you deep fry these cookies. These treats are so delicious sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
To make Cartellata Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
Mix 3 cups of flour with ⅓ cup of sugar and ½ a teaspoon of salt in a large bowl.
Pour ½ a cup of wine and ¼ cup of olive oil into a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface. Knead lightly until smooth. Cut the dough into two pieces and flatten each one into the shape of a disk. Wrap both of the disks in plastic and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Return the rested dough to the lightly floured work surface. Roll out one of the dough disks to a ⅛ inch thick 12-inch square. Cut the rolled out dough into ½ inch wide strips.
Wrap each of the dough strips around itself into the shape of a loose coil. Transfer each of the coils to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining disk of dough.
Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a saucepan to 300°F. Place a rack over a large baking sheet.
Fry cookies in batches, Start by frying 4 or 5 coils in the hot oil until browned and crisp, about 50 seconds. Repeat until all of the remaining coils are cooked.
Transfer the fried cookies to the rack to drain.
Sprinkle the cookies with lemon zest and sift a mix of confectioners sugar and cinnamon over them.
Serve Italian style: warm with strong coffee.
Cartellata Cookies are a deep fried Italian treat! If you make them, I’d love to hear how you get on. Come back and leave a comment below!
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