Italian Wandi Cookies Recipe

Melissa Clark

16 May, 2024

Indulge in authentic Italian Wandi cookies with our mouthwatering recipe. Delicate, buttery, and simply irresistible. Try it now!

Italian Wandi Cookies

Publisher: Recipe Volt
Cuisine: Italian
Category: Dessert, Snack
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 80 calories

About Ingredients Instructions Video Servings Tips Substitutes

Italian Wandi cookies, also known as "Canestrelli," are delightful treats hailing from the rich culinary heritage of Italy. These cookies are beloved for their delicate texture, buttery flavor, and intricate design. They hold a special place in Italian baking traditions, often enjoyed during festive occasions, family gatherings, or simply as a sweet indulgence with a cup of coffee or tea.

The name "Wandi" originates from the word "wheat," reflecting the traditional use of flour as the main ingredient in these cookies. Made with simple pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, Wandi cookies embody the essence of Italian home baking—where quality ingredients and time-honored techniques come together to create something truly special.

What sets Wandi cookies apart is their unique shape, characterized by a crisscross pattern on top, typically achieved by gently pressing down on the dough with the tines of a fork before baking. This not only adds an aesthetic appeal but also helps to create a crumbly texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.

Despite their simplicity, making Wandi cookies requires a careful balance of ingredients and precision in technique. The dough must be handled with care to ensure it remains tender and light, resulting in cookies that are both flavorful and delicate. While the process may take a bit of time and patience, the end result is well worth the effort—a batch of golden-brown cookies that exude warmth and comfort with every nibble.

Whether enjoyed as a treat for yourself or shared with loved ones, Italian Wandi cookies encapsulate the essence of Italian hospitality and culinary craftsmanship, making them a cherished part of any dessert table or cookie jar. With their timeless appeal and irresistible flavor, these classic Italian cookies are sure to delight generations to come.

Recipe

Discover the secrets to creating irresistible Italian Wandi cookies! From buttery bliss to delicate textures, dive into our delectable recipe guide now!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Method Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour and powdered sugar. Add a pinch of salt and mix well.
Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the mixture. Gently knead the dough until it comes together into a smooth ball. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them into balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
Using the tines of a fork, gently press down on each cookie to flatten it slightly and create a crisscross pattern on top.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are just starting to turn golden around the edges.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar.
Serve the wandi cookies with a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy their buttery goodness!

These cookies are perfect for any occasion and are sure to impress your friends and family. Buon appetito!

Recipe Video

Italian Wandi Cookies

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Recipe Tags: Italian Wandi Cookies, Italian Wandi Cookies Recipe, Recipe

Servings

Italian Wandi cookies are versatile treats that can be served in various ways to suit different occasions and preferences. Here are a few suggestions on how to serve them:

As a Snack: Serve Italian Wandi cookies as a delightful snack alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Their buttery flavor and crumbly texture make them perfect for dunking or nibbling on their own.
Dessert Platter: Arrange Wandi cookies on a dessert platter along with other Italian sweets such as biscotti, cannoli, or pizzelle. Dust the cookies with powdered sugar for an elegant touch before serving.
With Gelato or Sorbet: Create a simple yet elegant dessert by pairing Italian Wandi cookies with a scoop of gelato or sorbet. The combination of creamy gelato and crumbly cookies offers a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.
Afternoon Tea: Serve Wandi cookies as part of an afternoon tea spread, accompanied by a selection of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Their dainty appearance and delicate flavor make them a perfect addition to any tea-time gathering.
Gifts or Party Favors: Package homemade Wandi cookies in decorative boxes or bags to give as gifts or party favors. They make thoughtful and delicious presents for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions.
Dessert Buffet: Include Italian Wandi cookies as part of a dessert buffet at weddings, showers, or other celebrations. Arrange them on tiered trays or platters alongside an assortment of other desserts for guests to enjoy.

Tips

Use high-quality ingredients: Since Wandi cookies have a simple ingredient list, using high-quality ingredients, especially butter, will greatly impact the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Ensure butter is at the right temperature: Softened butter is easier to incorporate into the dry ingredients, resulting in a smoother dough. However, make sure the butter is not too warm or melted, as this can lead to greasy cookies.
Sift the dry ingredients: Sifting the flour and powdered sugar together helps to remove any lumps and aerate the mixture, resulting in a lighter, more delicate cookie texture.
Handle the dough gently: Avoid overworking the dough, as this can make the cookies tough. Mix and knead the dough just until it comes together, then stop.
Chill the dough if needed: If the dough becomes too soft or sticky to handle, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm it up before shaping the cookies.
Maintain uniform size: Try to portion the dough into evenly sized balls to ensure the cookies bake evenly. A cookie scoop can be helpful for this.
Create a crisscross pattern: Use the tines of a fork to gently press down on each cookie ball to flatten it slightly and create the classic crisscross pattern on top. This not only adds visual appeal but also helps the cookies bake evenly.
Watch the baking time: Keep an eye on the cookies while they're baking, as they can quickly go from golden brown to overdone. They are ready when they are just starting to turn golden around the edges.
Let them cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and ensures they don't break apart when moved.
Store properly: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag.

Ingredient Substitutes

If there's a need to substitute ingredients for Italian Wandi cookies, here are a few options:

Butter: If you're looking for a dairy-free option or simply want to reduce the fat content, you can substitute the butter with an equal amount of margarine or a dairy-free butter alternative. However, keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Egg yolks: If you're vegan or allergic to eggs, you can replace the egg yolks with a suitable egg replacer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, you can use mashed ripe banana, applesauce, or a commercial egg replacer for baking.
Flour: While all-purpose flour is traditionally used in Wandi cookies, you can experiment with different types of flour for dietary preferences or allergies. For example, you can use whole wheat flour for a heartier texture or gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
Sugar: If you prefer a less sweet cookie or want to reduce the sugar content, you can use a combination of granulated sugar and powdered sugar, or substitute some of the sugar with a natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Just be aware that using liquid sweeteners may affect the texture of the dough.
Vanilla extract: If you don't have vanilla extract on hand or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute it with almond extract, lemon extract, or any other flavoring of your choice. Just adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.
Salt: If you're watching your sodium intake or prefer to omit salt, you can leave it out of the recipe altogether. However, keep in mind that salt helps to enhance the flavor of the cookies, so you may notice a slight difference in taste.