Canestrelli are shortbread cookies usually shaped as a flower and dusted with powdered sugar.
Looking to try a new cookie recipe this HOLIDAY SEASON? Love shortbread cookies? Chances are you’ll enjoy this cookie. I’m down for any type of cookie but there’s something extra fun about CUT OUT COOKIES to me. Maybe it’s that rolling and cutting cookies are synonymous with the holidays for me. Or the dusting of the powdered sugar on top that’s my favorite kind of Southern snow fall. Either way you’re in for a treat. I think these Canestrelli cuties would look great on your holiday cookie trays. Or hey, if you just wanted to slather FROSTING in between them and make a cookie sandwich and go to town, I’m here for that too.
WHAT ARE CANESTRELLI COOKIES?
Canestrelli Cookies originated in Italy and are a cut out shortbread cookie usually shaped as a flower and dusted with powdered sugar. These little beauties are made with hardboiled egg yolks, which adds to the cookie’s color and crumbly texture.
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To create the cookie shape, you’ll need a FLOWER COOKIE CUTTER and a DECORATING TIP (or STRAW).
WHAT DOES CANESTRELLI MEAN IN ITALIAN?
Canestrelli means little baskets in Italian. While the cookies themselves don’t look like baskets the name refers to the baskets that were traditionally used to let the cookies cool after baking.
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE THESE COOKIES?
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these cookies at home. (The following contains affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases).
- all purpose flour
- powdered sugar – use a SIEVE or DUSTING WAND to sprinkle sugar over cooled cookies.
- corn starch
- lemon zest – a MICROPLANE is a great zesting tool.
- kosher salt
- unsalted butter
- hardboiled egg YOLKS – do this step in advance to save time.
TIP: Did you know that you can EASILY HARD BOIL EGGS in your INSTANT POT.
MORE INCREDIBLE COOKIE RECIPES TO TRY
If you’re feeling inspired by this cookie recipe, you’ll love these other cookie recipes:
For even MORE cookie options check out our handy dandy HOLIDAY COOKIE ROUNDUP POST!
Canestrelli Cookies
Canestrelli are cut out shortbread cookies that are made using egg yolks.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup corn starch
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 11 tablespoons unsalted butter - COLD and cut into pieces
- 3 hardboiled egg yolks - mashed through a sieve
Instructions
- Into food processor add flour, powdered sugar, corn starch, lemon zest, salt. Pulse to combine. Add butter, pulse. Add egg yolks. Pulse until combined to dough like consistency.
- Turn dough onto a lighted floured cleaned work surface and knead until dough forms a ball. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and transfer to refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Line rimmed baking sheets with a silpat mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Roll dough to approximately 1/2" thickness. Using a 2" flower shaped cookie cutter cut as many flowers as possible. Transfer cookies to baking sheet. Re-roll any leftover dough and continue until all dough has been used.
- Using a straw or piping tip cut holes in the middle of each "flower".
- Bake for approximately 14-16 minutes until firm. Cookies should not brown. Allow to cool on baking sheet then transfer to cooling rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar once completely cooled.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container.
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