Scarcelle

Scarcelle are a traditional cookie made in Puglia. They are a special treat made for children for the giving at Easter. They are a tradition in our family also, one that is never missed.

Ingredients:

6 cups of flour
6 eggs
400 g sugar
300 g vegetable oil
2 tbsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
5 eggs in shell
pinch of salt

Method:

Place 5 eggs in a bowl with cold water and set aside. In a bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. Beat sugar, vanilla and eggs in a stand up mixer. Add oil and mix a bit more. Once eggs fluffy, add dry ingredients a little bit at a time. Once dough is formed into a ball, remove from mixer and set on flat surface and ensure dough is smooth. Cut pieces of dough and roll into cylinders, fold cylinders in half and roll to  make braid or chain like strips. Make a circle and place an egg in the middle. Make additional strips and place on top like an "x". Strips can be added to form handles like a basket or can be left as is.

With this recipe I made 5 scarcelle, for the remaining dough, I rolled into cylinders also and formed braids and circles, 1 dozen were made.

Enjoy!