Tray Chic! Italian Cookies to Treasure
2 Comments | Written on December 1, 2011 at 11:00 am, by Amy Palanjian
The Italian cookie tray is one holiday tradition that I hope continues forever and ever in my world. Every year, without fail, there are more Italian cookies in my parents house than the 10-plus of us who gather each year for the holidays could comfortably eat. My mom always makes a selection, we’re invariably gifted with more, and my dear uncle always brings some from his favorite New York City bakery. Each type is carefully packed in an ancient holiday tin, all of which are stored in a hallway closet. For each gathering, from pre-Christmas through New Years, a tray is assembled, with a careful assortment of the cookies. We have such a mountain of cookies, we even resort to giving some away.
I love to assemble the cookie trays and try to make it home in time to get the special job. I have strong feelings about which cookies should go where—pizzelles should always go on the bottom, around the edge of the cookie platter, for example, and chocolates should always adorn the top—and I take a lot of time to ensure that each tray is aesthetically pleasing. Why? Because a carefully arranged tray makes it that much easier for each person to find their favorite cookie!
Which brings me to my point: Cookie trays are a great way to provide a make-ahead dessert that’s within the budget you have to work with. You can make them simple, with just two or three types of cookies, or you can include as many cookies as your heart desires. And since most cookies store well, you can make them before your company arrives and even reuse (by restocking and removing any half-eaten treats!) for another event. (Just wrap the cookie tray in plastic to store and make sure to remove any perishable varieties).
Here are some of my go-to Italian cookies:
Pizzelles. It’s not the holidays (or December, really) without a pizzelle (pictured above). I think of them as the all-purpose treat—not enough to ruin an appetite (and thus perfect for an afternoon nibble), and just enough to satisfy a sweet tooth after a big meal.
Dark Chocolate Florentines. When I was a kid, I used to dig out all of the Florentines for their crunchy-caramel-ness. I still do.
Biscotti. You can’t go wrong with this classic cookie (which package up easily as great gifts!). Whether you like them with almond or vanilla flavors, dipped in chocolate or plain, this is the go-to cookie to have with coffee or tea in my house—preferably dunked.
There are also sesame cookies, pignoli cookies, and if you’re really lucky, cannoli.
Do you have a favorite cookie? Share your top picks with me in the Comments section.
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Categories:
The Sweet Spot | Tags: Biscotti, Christmas Cookies, Cookies, Italian Christmas
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2 Responses to “Tray Chic! Italian Cookies to Treasure”
My Aunt Josephine would set up the metal tables in the basement in Brooklyn for all the plates that would be filled with struffoli – mounds and mounds of them, piled high like Christmas trees, drizzled with honey and then sprinkled over with powdered sugar. Somehow or other they all were eaten, every last delicious one. Mmmm.
My husbands Aunt would make Struffoli too for the holidays and also sprinkle with oclored “sprinkles”. I also would make Rosettes sprinkled w/powdered sugar.