Easter Taralli: Buttery Italian Ring Cookies
Crisp, buttery shortbread rings traditionally served at Easter. These simple taralli are made from lard-based pasta frolla dough flavored with lemon zest, vanilla, and an aromatic liqueur. Shaped into small loops and baked until golden, they're delicate yet sturdy enough to keep well, making them perfect for holiday gifting or tea time.
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour type 00, none
- 1 ½ cups sugar, none
- 7 oz lard, none
- 6 eggs, none
- 1 lemon, zest, from organic lemon
- 1 sachet baking powder for sweet baked goods, none
- 1 small glass Strega liqueur, nonelimoncello1:1alcoholcitrus
aligns with lemon flavoring already in recipe
- 1 sachet vanilla powder, nonevanilla extract0.5flavor
reduce quantity as extract is concentrated
Instructions
- 1
Combine flour, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and baking powder in a large bowl
- 2
Add lard and liqueur, mix with a fork until ingredients begin to bind
- 3
Transfer dough to work surface and knead by hand until compact and smooth like classic pasta frolla
- 4
Tear off pieces of dough and roll into cords approximately 6" long
- 5
Form each cord into a loop by connecting the ends with slight finger pressure
- 6
Place loops on parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them well apart as they will spread
- 7
Bake in preheated static oven at 350°F for approximately 25 minutes until golden brown on surface
- 8
Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving
Tips
Roll dough cords to even thickness for uniform baking
Space loops generously on baking sheet; they spread significantly during baking
Let cookies cool completely on baking sheet before transferring to ensure they set properly
Good to Know
Keep in airtight container at room temperature for up to one week
Dough can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated, wrapped well
Serve at room temperature with coffee, tea, or milk. Traditional Easter gift item
Common Mistakes
Crowd loops too closely on baking sheet to avoid incomplete spreading and uneven baking
Skip cooling period to avoid soft, fragile cookies that crumble when handled
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
aligns with lemon flavoring already in recipe
source explicitly permits