Easter Taralli
These Easter Taralli are slightly sweet. They have a light bready texture with are covered in a simple glaze. Boiled then baked they are an Italian Easter tradition.
There are basically 2 types of taralli, sweet and savory. This sweet recipe is easy to make and perfect anytime of the day. Taralli are very popular and available throughout Italy, they are mainly produced in the south, in Puglia and Campania. These Taralli are made mostly at Easter time and are originally from Puglia.
Recipe Ingredients
- Eggs – large
- Sugar – granulated
- Grappa – or pure grape juice
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Vegetable Oil – I use corn or sunflower
- Flour – all purpose (with at least 11% protein)
Glaze Ingredients
- Powered / Icing sugar
- Lemon juice, water or milk
How to make Easter Taralli
In the mixing bowl add the eggs, sugar, grappa and baking soda, beat on medium speed until light, about 5 minutes.
Add the oil and combine, then add the salt and flour a little at a time, beating between additions.
Knead the dough until smooth and soft.
Move the dough to a flat surface and knead 3 times to form a ball. Cover with a tea towel and let rest 30 minutes.
Cut into small pieces and roll into ropes about 6 inches long and a little thick, form into circles, making sure to seal the ends well, leaving a large hole. Place on a clean tea towel.
Drop 2-3 circles (making sure the whole is still quite large) into a pot of boiling water, stirring to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Once they rise to the top, remove with a slotted spoon and place on the clean towel and let cool.
Cut around the edge of the circle but not through. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Bake in a pre-heated 400F (200C) oven for approximately 15 minutes, lower the oven to 300F (150C) and continue to bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. The cookies bake up very light.
Let cool completely then cover or dip in the glaze. Sprinkle with sprinkles and serve.
If you prefer to not dip them in glaze then add a little more sugar to make up for the sweetness of the glaze.
How to store Taralli
Store the cooled glazed taralli in an airtight container at room temperature, they will keep for 2-3 days. They can also be frozen in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
I hope you enjoy these Easter Taralli and a Happy Easter to everyone!
More Easter Recipes to try
Easter Taralli
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar*
- 1 tablespoon grappa (or good quality pure grape juice)
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (I use corn or sunflower oil) (50 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all purpose flour
*If you want to leave out the glaze then add 2-3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
FOR THE GLAZE
- 1½ cups powdered/icing sugar (sifted)
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice/ water or milk (enough for desired thickness)
Instructions
- In the mixing bowl add the eggs, sugar, grappa and baking soda, beat on medium speed until light, about 5 minutes. Add the oil and combine, then add the salt and flour a little at a time, beating between additions. Knead the dough until smooth and soft.
- Move the dough to a flat surface and knead 3 times to form a ball. Cover with a tea towel and let rest 30 minutes.
- Cut into small pieces and roll into ropes about 6 inches long and a little thick, form into circles, wet the ends to help them seal well, leaving a large hole. Place on a clean tea towel. In a large pot add water and bring to a boil.
- Drop 2-3 circles (making sure the whole is still quite large) into a pot of boiling water, stirring to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Once they rise to the top, remove with a slotted spoon and place on the clean towel and let cool.
- Pre-heat oven to 400F (200C). Line 1-2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut around the middle of the edge of the circle, in but not through (see photo). Place on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake in pre-heated oven for approximately 15 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 300F (150C) and continue to bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. The cookies bake up very light.
- Move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely then cover or dip in the glaze. Sprinkle with sprinkles and serve. Enjoy!
FOR THE GLAZE
- In a small/medium bowl whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and liquid until smooth and it has reached the desired thickness.
Hello I did your recipe to the T my Taralli turned brown as if I was used whole wheat flour can you tell me why thank you
Hi Rosie, I would say you baked it too long, your oven temperature could be off. Check it to see. Hope that helps. Take care!
THE RECIPE FOR THE TARALLE WITH THE GLAZE LOOKS GREAT, BUT THE RECIPE I;M LOOKNG FOR IS NOT SWEET. IT’S JUST A PLAIN EGG TARALLE, NO SUGAR OR GLAZE. ITS MADE THE SAME WAY YOUR RECIPE LOOKS LIKE BUT WITHOUT THE SUGAR. MY MOTHER MADE THEM WITHOUT THE SUGAR AND A COUSN WHO WAS VISITING FROM NAPLES AND WHO;S PARENTS HAD A BAKERY THERE AT ONE TIME MADE THEM LIKE THAT AND WHEN MARIA CAME FOR A VISIT, THAT’S WHAT THEY. LOOKED LIKE WITHOUT THE SUGAR. SHE LEFT WITHOUT LEAVING THE RECIPE AND MY MOM IS LONG. GONE. THANK YOU. I WILL KEEP LOOKING, MARY
Hi Mary, this is the plain taralli recipe https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/taralli/ . Take care!
I just commented on this recipe earlier. I looked at other recipes. Are you sure it is baking soda and not baking powder?
Hi Diane, in Italy they are made with baking soda. 🙂
I just made these taralli cookies. Mine did not come out at all. Not what I grew up eating.Through all the steps they did look like your pictures. But once they baked they did not rise and the taste was awful. I think I will go back to buying them at the Italian bakery.
Hi Rosemary, These look delicious, what liquor can I use to replace grappa?
Hi Francesca, thanks, so I found aquavit, grape brandy, grape vodka, brandy or cognac. Hope that helps. 🙂