Zaleti

I am always, always distracted by Italian Cookies. How have I not known about Zaleti? 

Variously referred to as Zaeti, Zaleti, Xaleti, and Xaeti, these cookies are considered Venetian and were popular in poor families who tended to have the ingredients - cornmeal being the main one. In fact the cookie name is linked to their word for "yellow" - the colour of cornmeal.

Zaleti are not too sweet. They have great texture from the cornmeal - and they're Italian! Bet you can't eat just one!

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Italian Amaretti Cookies

Here's what you get - a crisp sugary exterior and a soft chewy interior that will remind you of marzipan.

Some have described Amaretti as the Italian version of the French Macaron - both featuring almond flour and egg whites as the main ingredients. I have taken a course to learn how to make Macaron (and have had success making them).

No course needed for Amaretti - it's crazy easy and pretty much foolproof to make.

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Chocolate Hazelnut Diamonds

Who can resist a "shortbread" layer topped with chocolate, toffee and hazelnuts? Bliss, right?

This recipe is ridiculously easy to make - there's no rolling out pastry or fancy tricks. You get a lot out of it - depending on how you cut it - about 4 dozen.

Because it stores well in a tin, in a cool place, it is often one of the first Xmas cookie recipes I make in December.

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Pizzelle

Here's a recipe that has been appearing at the family Xmas table for about 30 years!

While some pizzelle can be thicker and softer - we like these because they are thin and crisp - and flavoured with orange, lemon, vanilla and anise.

You will need a pizzelle maker / iron. It can be a one person project or invite a friend or family to help make memories while making yummy treats!

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Palmiers

Whether you call them Palmiers, ears, butterflies or French hearts, this light, crispy indulgence just might be the highlight of your well deserved coffee / tea break.

They are a favourite in my increasing repertoire of easy treats using puff pastry sheets. You'll be surprised how quickly they come together - which is good because they'll disappear quickly and you'll be making them again and again!

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Linzer Cookies

'Linzer" is perhaps more often associated with Linzer Torte - a crust that includes nuts, a jam filling and a lattice top.

Like many European classics, the recipe dates back hundreds of years. The ingredients and construction with a jam centre seem to lend themselves to "cookies", though I have no idea when that trend began.

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Italian Lemon Twist Cookies

This will not be the first (or last) time I mention my obsession with Italian cookies. These have been one of my favourites at Italian Showers, though, oddly, I make them only once a year - at Christmas.

They are the first off the assembly line in December since they freeze well - and it takes a lot of self control to make sure they all (most) make it to the freezer.

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Pumpkin Date Spice Cookies

Pumpkin, dates, ginger - with so many healthy ingredients this should not even be called a cookie!

From Mairlyn Smith's "Healthy Starts Here!" - you'll be making these often.

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Mostaccioli: Italian Cookies

Here's a new addition to my quest to master Italian Cookies!

We don't often think of spices when we imagine cookies. These feature cloves. Does cloves in cookies sound odd? Keep in mind that cloves make a minor appearance in many gingerbread recipes. Here, although combined with cinnamon, it is the flavour of cloves that shines through for a startlingly yummy eating experience – of course there is chocolate as well...

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