Taralles Cookies Recipes

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.

NONI'S TARALLI

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water in a bowl.
• Combine flour, wine, oil, fennel seeds, and salt in a large stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Knead on low speed. Add yeast mixture slowly. Continue to mix until a smooth ball is formed and dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove dough from the bowl; knead into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat.
• Cut the dough into 2-inch cross sections; roll into 1/2-inch-diameter "tubes." Cut tubes lengthwise into 1/4-inch cross sections. Roll each from the center out; fold ends over one another.
• Boil taralli in the hot water in groups of 10 until they rise to the top, about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon. Continue with remaining taralli. Let dry for 4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place dried taralli onto baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven, flipping as needed, until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.

TARALLES COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Beat eggs in a large bowl using an electric mixer until fluffy. Add oil, orange zest, and juice; mix well. Beat in sugar slowly.
• Combine flour, baking powder, and vanilla powder in a separate bowl. Slowly add to the egg mixture, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat until almost blended; mix the rest by hand.
• Roll dough into 2 ropes; cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces. Twist 2 pieces together or roll individual ropes into circles to make round cookies.
• Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden but cookies are not yet brown, about 10 minutes. Let cookies cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slowly mix lemon juice into a bowl of confectioners' sugar to make a runny icing. Line a few trays with waxed paper. Dip cooled cookies into the icing and transfer them onto the trays to harden.

CAROLINA'S WINE TARALLI COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate larger bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg until well combined. Stir in the olive oil and wine. Slowly add the flour mixture until well combined, kneading slightly until the dough is easy to handle and medium-soft.
• On a clean surface, use your hands and roll the dough into 1/2-inch-thick, cigarlike rolls. Cut each cigar into 6-inch pieces, folding each piece into a loop-shape. Press the dough with fingers to seal together. Place on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly golden. Remove to a cooling rack and cool completely.
• If you wish to ice them, whisk 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into 1 cup confectioners' sugar. It should be the consistency of thick whipping cream. Dip one side of the cookie in the glaze and let dry.