Grandma's Easter biscotti cookies

My Sicilian Grandmother, Maria Angelena Famiano Cusumano, loved making these Easter treats for us every year.  Unfortunately, my cookbook of her recipes is currently packed and buried beneath a storage-unit full of boxes in Boston, but this recipe is a close second!


I made these for some friends and officemates here in San Jose, and they loved them. I hope you do too!

Courtesy: LevieDeisapori.it

BISCOTTI - PUPA CU L'OVA


4 cups flour
6 teaspoons baking powder
2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup of milk
1 teaspoon anise extract (optional)
about 1 teaspoon anise seed 
12 hard boiled eggs


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Combine flour and baking powder; set aside.


Mix together softened butter and sugar; add 2 eggs. Combine flour mixture with butter-egg-sugar mixture. Add milk, anise extract, and anise seed (if using). After mixing, let rest for about 15 minutes.


Knead on lightly floured surface.


Here is where you use your imagination. It's supposed to look like a bird's nest: Make a base (about 4-5-inches in diameter each) and place a hard boiled egg in the center. I use scissors and make slits around the base. Roll a small piece of dough into a rope about 5-inches long and tie a loose knot, like a cross, over the egg. Bake same as above (they make take less time). 


Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your cookie dough. Do not over-bake (they are not supposed to be brown). Remove from oven and cool. Yield: 12 cookies