The Italian wine cookie may be one of the easiest cookies to make, and they are so delicious. There are many Italian biscotti recipes, but the Biscotti of the poor (or Biscotti Poveri) is my favorite. The recipe contains common pantry staples making it a quick and easy cookie recipe to add to your repertoire.
After being introduced to these cookies 6 years ago at a Tuscan cooking class, I was hooked. There was something so wholesome about picturing a Nonna using a coffee cup or wine glass to measure equal parts of olive oil, sugar and wine to make these quick and delicious cookies.
I had forgotten about the cookies until a recent visit back to Podere il Casale for another cooking class. We got to enjoy these cookies and they had a very similar recipe. This recipe is relatively foolproof and allows the baker to make flavor additions to the toppings or the dough.
I prefer to enjoy the fabulous Italian wine cookie dipped into a sweet after dinner wine like Vin Santo, or with a chamomile tea. They are truly perfect any time of year and any weather.
Italian Wine Cookies (Biscotti Poveri)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup Raw Cane Sugar
- 1 cup Wine (Color of your choice – I prefer red. If steering clear of alcohol, juice is a great substitute)
- ~ 1 cup All-Purpose Flour Amount of flour will vary – just follow directions below!
Optional Ingredients for the Dough
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Anise seed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉/175℃
- Add the olive oil, sugar and wine in a bowl (If using optional ingredients add them now)
- Mix until combined
- Sprinkle flour into the wet mixture slowly while mixing
- Once a dough ball forms you will stop adding flour
- Make sure the dough isn't dry, but also isn't sticky to handle – if it's too sticky add more flour
- Cut chunks of the dough off and roll into a snake-like roll (the thinner the tube of dough, the crunchier the cookie)
- Form into any shape of your choosing (traditionally their shaped like a doughnut or crossed at the tail)
- Roll the formed cookies in sugar or cinnamon sugar
- Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake at 374℉/175℃ for 10-15 minutes
- Allow cookies to cool and enjoy!
[…] During the class we sipped on juice, red or white wine and learned about traditions and the farm. We made homemade pici pasta with a chili, breadcrumb and garlic topping, pork loin with seasonal roasted vegetables and a rosemary & sage pesto, and to end the meal we learned how to make delicious Italian wine cookies. […]