Italian Torcetti Cookies/Biscotti
These simple Italian Torcetti Cookies/Biscotti are made with a few ingredients including cream. Crunchy and soft at the same time, they make the perfect breakfast or snack cookie treat. Serve them with a coffee, tea or how about a Cappuccino?!
I love the fact that Italians don’t care and will eat cake and biscuits for breakfast! Nothing like a creamy cappuccino with a slice of a simple Ciambellone. Or a few Torcetti to dunk in your morning caffe latte. Now that’s a breakfast Italian style.
Ingredients
- Flour – all purpose flour, it’s best to use a flour with 11% protein or higher, this will keep the cookies from spreading.
- Powdered Sugar –
- Baking powder
- Vanilla
- Cream – be sure to use whole, heavy or whipping cream, with at least 30% fat.
- Egg yolk – adds fat to the cookie
What are Torcetti Cookies?
They are an Italian cookie that is a bit crunchy on the outside and softer on the inside. The are shaped in a twist shape that can look almost braided. They originated from the Regions of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta.
How make them
In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder and salt.
Make a well in the middle and add the vanilla, cream and yolk, mix together with flat beaters or even a fork or spatula.
Continue until a soft compact dough forms. Move to a flat surface and knead gently a few times to bring the dough together.
Remove pieces of the dough, roll into ropes, cross the rope in the middle twisting and closing shut, 1-2 times.
Place the formed cookies on the prepared cookie sheet, sprinkle with cane or granulated sugar, chill while the oven is pre-heating.
Bake until golden. Let cool before serving.
What does Biscotti mean?
The direct translation of biscotti is baked twice. But in Italy biscotti also means cookies in general, all types and all flavors. What we consider biscotti are actually called Cantucci or tozzetti, of course it depends on the Region.
FAQs
The dough can be made 2-3 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Knead a few times to make it easier to form the cookies.
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze the completely cooled cookies in a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.
Whenever you are looking for a simple and easy Italian cookie recipe that is perfect with a cup of tea or coffee or even on its own I hope you give these Easy Torcetti Cookies a try and of course let me know what you think. Enjoy!
More delicious Italian Cookies
Italian Torcetti Cookies/Biscotti
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour (11% or more protein)
- ¾ cup + 2 ½ tablespoons powdered/icing sugar (sifted) (110 grams)
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup cream (whole/heavy or whipping cream) (120 grams)
- 1 large egg yolk
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Make a well in the middle and add the vanilla, cream and yolk, mix together with flat beaters or even a fork or spatula, until a soft compact dough forms. Move to a flat surface and knead gently a few times to bring the dough together.
- Remove pieces, roll into ropes, approximately 8 inches (20cm) long, cross the rope in the middle 1-2 times. Place the formed cookies on the prepared cookie sheet, sprinkle with cane or granulated sugar, chill while the oven is pre-heating, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C).
- Remove from the fridge and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes on the cookie sheet, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
My grandmother was from northern Italy. The town of Brusnango. She made “torchetts”differently. She made them at Christmas time and rolled the dough to make candy canes and wreaths she them dripped them is sprinkles and sugar
She used flour baking soda, crème of tartar, nutmeg lemon extract, vanilla and milk or cream
I make the every year since I was married 50 years ago
I am anxious to try your receipie
Hi Larraine, recipes and how they are shaped can change from region to region, your Mom’s cookies sound really good also. I hope you enjoy them. Let me know. Take care!
I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I made the dough twice and both times it was incredibly crumbly. plus the can sugar wouldn’t stick to the dough. I cooked them for 15 minutes and they never got golden brown. My dough seems so dry. Am I missing an ingredient?
Hi Denise, if the dough is too dry, (this also depends on the flour, some flours absorb liquids more than others) you can either add a whole egg rather then just the yolk and or add a bit more cream until the dough comes together. Brush the dough with a little milk to get the sugar to stick, this will also help the cookies brown. Hope that helps. Take care.
How make them
In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder and salt.
You talk about baking powder and salt but don’t list them in your Ingredients.
Which is correct?
Hi Karen, sorry about that, I added them in. Thanks for letting me know. Have a great weekend.
Hi….Love all the recipes and I love sharing them with my Italian friends. However I am hoping you have a recipe for the biscotti or cookie made with black pepper. If you do pls send it to me I would love to make it and remind myself of being younger and enjoying the flavor. Enjoy your holidays….God bless
Hi Rosemary, I don’t have a recipe, but my husband told me how good they are and we are going to ask around for a recipe. If I find one I will make it in the next few days and post it. Thanks have a great weekend.