Grandma's Festive Italian Filled Cookies
A cherished recipe passed down through generations, these festive Italian cookies bring warmth and holiday spirit to any Christmas celebration. Filled with a delightful mixture of walnuts, ground raisins, and spices, they are a beautifully baked treat that melts in your mouth. With a touch of powdered sugar or colorful frosting, these delicious cookies become a canvas for creativity, inviting family and friends to enjoy their beauty as much as their flavor. Gather around the kitchen, make memories, and create your own traditions with each batch.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
pastry flour
3 1/2 cups (sifted)
all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (sifted)
salt
1/8 teaspoon (a pinch)
shortening (for dough)
1/2 cup (melted)
shortening (for melted mixture)
1/3 cup (melted)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup (divided)
granulated sugar (for filling)
2 tablespoons
water
1/2 cup (to dissolve sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for optional frosting)
finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup
ground raisins
1/2 cup (processed in a food processor)
powdered sugar
1 cup (sifted for optional frosting)
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (for optional frosting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the pastry flour, all-purpose flour, and salt until well combined.
3
Cut the shortening into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4
In a small saucepan, melt the combined shortening with 1/2 cup of sugar in 1/2 cup of water over low heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
5
Pour the melted mixture into the flour mixture and blend until a soft dough forms.
6
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a large round cutter (about 2 1/2 inches in diameter) to cut out circles.
7
To prepare the filling, combine the finely chopped walnuts, ground raisins, and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a bowl, mixing thoroughly.
8
On one half of each dough circle, place a tablespoon of the filling. Make sure to leave enough space at the edges to seal the cookies.
9
Dampen the edges of the dough circle with a little water. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges securely.
10
Prick the top of each cookie with a fork to create vents for steam to escape during baking.
11
Arrange the filled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 7-10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden.
12
Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
13
For decoration, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or prepare frosting by mixing 1 tablespoon of water with powdered sugar and vanilla extract. If desired, tint the frosting with food coloring and add festive sprinkles while the frosting is still wet.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Grandma's Festive Italian Filled Cookies?
They are a cherished traditional holiday treat filled with a mixture of walnuts, ground raisins, and sugar, often decorated with frosting or powdered sugar.
What is the recommended oven temperature for these cookies?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
What types of flour are used in the dough?
The recipe uses a combination of 3 1/2 cups of pastry flour and 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour.
How much pastry flour is required?
The recipe calls for 3 1/2 cups of sifted pastry flour.
How much all-purpose flour should I use?
You should use 1/2 cup of sifted all-purpose flour.
What are the ingredients in the cookie filling?
The filling is made from 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup ground raisins, and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
How should the raisins be prepared for the filling?
The raisins should be ground, which can be done efficiently using a food processor.
How many walnuts are needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts.
What type of fat is used for the cookie dough?
Shortening is used in two ways: cut into the flour and melted with sugar and water.
How much shortening is cut into the flour mixture?
Use 1/2 cup of shortening to cut into the dry ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs.
How much shortening is used in the melted mixture?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of shortening to be melted with sugar and water.
How much granulated sugar is used for the dough?
1/2 cup of granulated sugar is dissolved in the melted mixture for the dough.
How much sugar is added to the filling?
Use 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar for the filling mixture.
How thick should the dough be rolled out?
The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
What size cutter should be used for the dough circles?
Use a large round cutter approximately 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
How much filling goes into each cookie?
Place approximately one tablespoon of the walnut and raisin filling on one half of each dough circle.
How do you properly seal the cookies?
Dampen the edges with water, fold the dough into a half-moon shape, and press the edges with a fork to crimp them.
What is the shape of these Italian filled cookies?
These cookies are folded into a half-moon shape.
Why should I prick the tops of the cookies before baking?
Pricking the tops with a fork creates vents that allow steam to escape while the cookies bake.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
The cookies should bake for 7 to 10 minutes.
How can I tell when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when the edges turn a light golden color.
Should the baking sheet be prepared with anything?
Yes, arrange the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
How should the cookies be cooled?
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
How do I make the optional frosting?
Mix 1 tablespoon of water with 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Can I add color or decorations to the frosting?
Yes, you can tint the frosting with food coloring and add festive sprinkles while the frosting is still wet.
Is salt used in this cookie recipe?
Yes, 1/8 teaspoon (a pinch) of salt is sifted with the flour.
How much water is used in the dough mixture?
1/2 cup of water is used to dissolve the sugar and shortening for the dough.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How much vanilla extract is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract specifically for the optional frosting.
How many total ingredients are listed in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients listed, including those for the optional frosting and decoration.