Italian Easter Taralli (Traditional Sweet Taralli Cookies)

Italian Easter Taralli, known in Italy as Taralli Dolci di Pasqua, are traditional sweet ring-shaped cookies prepared during the Easter season. These simple homemade cookies are glazed and decorated with colorful sprinkles. They make a festive treat for Easter celebrations across many regions of Italy.

📝 Ingredients

• 250 g Italian 00 flour or all-purpose flour (- 2 cups )
• 90 g granulated sugar (- about 1/2 cup )
• 80 ml anise liqueur (- about 1/3 cup)
• 30 g unsalted butter (- about 2 tablespoons )
• 10 g baking powder (- about 2 teaspoons )
• 2 large eggs
• 1 organic lemon (- zest only )
• 200 g powdered sugar (- about 1 2/3 cups )
• 80 ml lemon juice (- about 1/3 cup fresh )
• Colored sugar sprinkles (- to taste)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Make the Dough ---
2. 2Sift the flour and baking powder together into a large bowl so they are well combined and free of lumps.
3. 3Add the eggs, the grated lemon zest, the sugar, the softened butter, and the anise liqueur.
4. 4mix: Start mixing all the ingredients together using a fork or a wooden spoon until they begin to come together into a rough dough.
5. 5knead: Transfer the mixture onto a lightly floured work surface and continue kneading it with your hands until you obtain a smooth, soft, and evenly textured dough.
6. 6rest: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let it rest for about 1 hour.
7. 7--- Shape the Easter Taralli ---
8. 8cut: After the resting time, place the dough back on the work surface. Using a dough cutter or knife, divide the dough into small portions of equal weight, about 35 g (1.2 oz) each.
9. 9Roll each portion of dough into a rope about 1 cm (½ inch) in diameter and approximately 15 to 20 cm (6–8 inches) long.
10. 10create: Join the ends together to form a ring shape, creating the classic taralli. As the taralli are ready, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
11. 11--- Bake the Taralli Cookies ---
12. 12Bake them in a preheated static oven at 200°C (390°F) for about 15 minutes. When the taralli are lightly golden and fragrant, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
13. 13--- Make the Glaze ---
14. 14make the glaze: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze. Sift the powdered sugar into a small bowl, then slowly pour in the strained lemon juice while mixing vigorously with a whisk until you obtain a smooth icing with the right consistency.
15. 15dip: Once the cookies have cooled, glaze them. Dip the top part of each tarallo into the lemon icing so that the surface is evenly coated.
16. 16--- Decorate and Serve ---
17. 17decorate: Place the glazed taralli back onto a cooling rack and immediately decorate them with colored sugar sprinkles. Leave them to dry completely until the icing has set.
18. 18serve: Transfer the Italian Easter taralli to a serving plate, bring them to the table, and serve.