These Italian Easter cookies with eggs in the middle are a tradition in the southern regions of Italy. They are called Cuzzupe, Cudduraci or Cucupi, and they are usually eaten at the end of Lent fasting. Very easy to make, they have a sweet vanillin aroma, a crisp and crumbly texture and an egg trapped inside. They can be made in different fun shapes, the perfect baking project for children.
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These Italian Easter cookies are originally from the Southern part of Italy and every region has its name: cuddura, cuddhura, cuddurace, sguta, cuzzupa. The name cuddura comes from the antic greek Kollyra meaning loaf.
The whole eggs are placed on top of the cookie, and they are the symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those eggs are raw and will cook in the oven with the biscuits. A tradition is to shape these biscuits in the classic doughnut shape and put many eggs on them based on who you want to give them to.
For example, if you want to donate to your boyfriend, you should put seven eggs on it, and the Calabrian saying reads: "Setta ma setta". You are giving hope to your boyfriend that he can officially present himself to the family.
In addition to the doughnut shape, these cookies can be prepared in various forms that recall Easter symbols: braid, cross, twist, bow, or ribbon. They are easy and fun to make, a perfect project to do with the children,
Ingredients
These Italian Easter cookies are made with a sweet shortcrust pastry.
The pastry dough is very simple to make and requires the usual baking ingredients you always find in your kitchen:
- butter at room temperature,
- flour
- sugar
- eggs
- baking powder
- flavoring: you can use whatever you like. I used orange zest in this recipe, but you can also use lemon zest, vanilla, almond extract, and orange water blossom.
Find the exact quantities in the recipe card.
The dough is very malleable, and it doesn't stick to your hand, which is why it is so fun to use with children.
Instructions
The dough is very simple to make:
- Mix all the ingredients with an electric mixer
- Shape the dough into a large ball
- Use a piece of dough to make different shapes
Hint: the butter should be at room temperature, NOT melted
Here some of the shapes you can make:
Bake them
- Place the cookies on parchment paper in a baking dish
- Brush the top with one eggwash
- Sprinkle with colored sugar sprinkles
- Bake for 35 minutes at 355 F - 180 C
How to eat them
Once cooked, these Italian Easter cookies can be stored in an airtight container, lasting for a week. You can brake a piece and eat it with a piece of chocolate, a great combination.
The raw egg placed over the pastry for decoration cooks with the biscuits in the oven; therefore, you can just peel it and eat it like a boiled egg. In Italy, we eat it with salami and cheese bread (next article).
They are perfect for bringing to your Easter Monday picnic.
More Italian Easter desserts
Italians eat many classic desserts at Easter; besides these cookies, the most renowned is the Pastiera: a ricotta pie made with wheat and ricotta. Also, a classic is the Colomba, similar to panettone but baked in the shape of a dove. We usually buy it already made as it requires sourdough yeast and is too time-consuming to make.
Mostly we eat a lot of chocolate, so if you want to try some chocolate recipes, here are some:
To finish the meal, you cannot miss a special homemade chocolate liqueur, recipe from Perugia.
If you are making these Italian Easter cookies leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋Italian Easter Cookies
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup butter at room temperature
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 3 fresh eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 fresh eggs extra for egg wash
- sprinkle of praline
- fresh eggs whole and uncooked to put over the cookies
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients with an electric mixer, make sure the butter is at room temperature⅔ cup butter at room temperature, 1 cup caster sugar, 3 fresh eggs, 2 cups flour, 2 tablespoon baking powder
- Shape the dough into a large ball and take each time a piece of dough to make different shapes.
- Shape the cookies and place them on parchment paper in a baking dishfresh eggs
- Brush the top with 1 egg wash1 fresh eggs
- Sprinkle with colored sugar sprinklessprinkle of praline
- Bake for 35 minutes at 355 F - 180 C
- Place in a basket and serve. They will last for a week
Video
Notes
- Butter should be a room temperature, not melted
- Once you mix the flour with the baking powder you need to make and bake the cookies within the hour otherwise the baking powder will lose it rising effect
- In this recipe, I used orange zest but you can use whatever you prefer: lemon zest, vanilla, almond extract, orange water blossom.
- Place the cookies on the baking tray at a distance as they will rise while cooking
- You do not need to pre cook the eggs placed for decoration, they will cook in the oven
- Don't keep the dough in your hands for a long time otherwise the dough will become too mushy
- Store the cookies in an airtight container and they will last for the week
Nutrition
Dannii
These look amazing, and perfect for the Easter weekend. I can't wait to try it.
Laura
thank you, you will have fun
Nart | Cooking with Nart
Wow, these cookies look really fun. I've never had or seen them before. Loved reading out the origin too - all new to me!
Laura
Thank you, yes they are a classic here in Italy
Julia
Perfect baking project for kids! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Laura
You are welcome
Alison
These Easter cookies turned out really cute and delicious. I enjoyed reading the story of where they come from.
Laura
I am glad you liked them, thank you for letting me know
Jen
This would be such a great new tradition to start with the holiday. Thank you for sharing!
Laura
you are very welcome