I have been with my husband for ten years. For ten years, I've been eating his mom's cookies and loving every single bite! The cookies... (or "gookie," the way she says cookies in her Sicilian accent) may have even played a small part in why I decided to marry him... For ten years, I've been wanting these recipes, so I could make them... Now, my MIL and I get along wonderfully, love her like my own mother. But, for some reason, I was too intimidated to ask for these recipes... I know, she's really not the best at explaining things, she'd rather just come to my house and make the cookies for me. I guess, that played a part in the intimidation. LOL This year, my husband told his mom to fork over the recipes to me! She agreed and invited me to make them with her! Of course, I was thrilled.
Lots of Italian biscotti... Limone e Crema... sprinkled with chopped pistachio. So, anyway, like I mentioned a few posts ago, We began baking and for 4 days we baked. Eighteen cookievarieties and at least 2, usually 3 or 4 batches of each! The bakeries of Little Italy in N.Y.C. havenothin' on her! She'll give them to everyone on her list... this includes her family doctor and chiropractor and then stocks a freezer with them for events and celebrations throughout the year. A very traditional biscotti of almond then dipped in chocolate. My hubby's fond of these dunked into coffee in the morning.
These are my very favorite Italian cookie. They are called Cornetti. They are a light and flaky dough, filled with Nutella then rolled in a crescent shape. They are wonderful. Heavenly would best describe them. Melt in your mouth deliciousness! I savor every bite of this cookie then go back for another... or two.
These cookies, are a close second for me. They are called Moscardini, she also refers to them as "Dead Bones" what an appealing name for a cookie... Anyway, these cookies are light, airy and chewy. That's a big air bubble on each cookie. I could sit and eat these all day.... My thighs are what tells me I need to stop!
Here's a little international plate of German, Italian and old fashioned American treats.
Limone iced and chocolate iced German gingerbread.
Traditional Italian fig cookies large enough to make a meal of!
Plenty of the old stand by... chocolate chip with nuts.
Chocolate truffles and nut balls.
Finally, some Buckeyes... I find these irresistible. So I made sure to only take a few home with me... I have no discipline.
For the Love of God, they look fantastic! I would so LOVE to be able to cook goodies like that, you are so lucky to have an Italian MIL to pass on these recipes. :o) In England, we don't bake biscuits - cookies - for Christmas. We make mince pies, Christmas pudding and sherry trifle, but baking biccies just isn't something associated with Christmas. Probably just as well, as I am a bit hit or miss with my baking. sometimes things turn out as they should, other times things go horribly wrong! It's something I am working on though. I've been collecting cookie cutters over the past couple of years, and edible glitter, vintagey looking edible dragees and even fairy cake cuffs. I need more practice!
Enjoy what's left of the build up to Christmas.
xx
Posted by: sadie | December 22, 2009 at 07:17 AM
How cruel! those are some of the most gorgeous cookies I've ever seen. I'm also proving to have no self control this season so thank goodness I don't have a wonderful italian mother-in-law!
Posted by: Jen@thecottagenest | December 22, 2009 at 04:12 PM
LoL, Sometimes I wish mine could did not cook or bake! I guess no self control is part of the holidays... We have New Years to diet.... Merry Christmas, Jen!
Posted by: gabrielle messina | December 22, 2009 at 06:10 PM
I am feeling really hungry right now, it all looks so yummy!
Posted by: Andrea | December 22, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Omigosh Gabrielle I think I just gained 10lbs by looking at your amazing cookies!!! Im lucky if I can bake a simple sugar cookie receipe. Me and Betty Crocker are BFF! ;) Merry Christmas sweetie!!! XO,Jenn
Posted by: Jennifer Hayslip | December 23, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Oh my goooodnesssss....just looking at all those yummy cookies and treats has made me gain 10 pounds!!! So beautiful though...it was worth it! :)
Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!
Posted by: Teresa McFayden | January 01, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Beautiful pictures... They remind me of my Italian Grandmom.
Posted by: Carolyn, Philadelphia | December 20, 2010 at 04:45 PM
Would you share your Cornetti dough recipe? They look so flaky, I would love to know, Thank You! Find me at or email me: www.ArtByASM.BlogSpot.com PS: Beautiful photos!
Have a Happy New Year!
Annamaria
Posted by: Annamaria Settanni | December 30, 2011 at 10:49 AM