NUTELLA NEAPOLITAN COOKIES – a sweet treat for La Befana

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Hi there,

When my children were small, I tried to give them some sense of what their Italian heritage was. One of the books I read to them was Strega Nona, and another was the Legend of La Befana. These are two beautiful books written by Tomie dePaola.

The legend tells of an old woman named La Befana who decided not to join the Wisemen on their quest to find the baby, Jesus. But she quickly regretted her decision and set out on her magical broom with a knapsack full of presents to find the baby. She never did find the baby so she visited all the children of Italy and gifted her presents to them. She returns every January 5 to give presents to the children of Italy.

So I am leaving you with a recipe for Nutella Neopolitan Cookies which, I am sure, Le Befana would enjoy and help her stay fueled for her journey. Or Santa and is wonderful reindeers would surely enjoy an Italian Cookie on December 24.

NUTELLA NEAPOLITAN COOKIES – a sweet treat for La Befana

Recipe by Bernadette Course: Dessert
Servings

30

cookies
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

11

minutes

Ingredients

  • 2and1.2 cups 2and1.2 all purpose flour

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 salt

  • 2 sticks 2 unsalted butter

  • 3/4 cup 3/4 granulated sugar

  • 2 eggs 2 2 eggs

  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoon 1 and 1/2 vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon 1 raspberry jam

  • 1 drop 1 pink food coloring

  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoon 1 and 1/2 cocoa powder (I used Ghiradelli’s)

  • 2 tablespoons 2 Nutella

Preparation

  • In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add the egg, and vanilla extract and beat on high for 1 minute.
  • Add the flour, salt, and baking powder and stir until combined.
  • Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and divide into thirds, one will stay vanilla and the other two pieces will become strawberry and chocolate.
  • Return 1/3 of dough to the mixing bowl and add 1 drop of pink food coloring, 1 tablespoon of jam, and 1 and an additional 1/2 tablespoons of of flour. Stir until combined and a lovely pink color throughout.
  • Remove the pink dough and add 1/3 of dough to the same bowl. Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of nutella. Stir until completely combined.
  • Line a loaf pan with parchment paper leaving an overhand of paper. Pat the dough into the loaf pan – pat the strawberry dough, then the white dough, and finish with the nutella layer. Smooth the top and cover the pan. Chill at least 3 hours. I chilled overnight.
  • Remove the chilled dough and with a sharp knife cut the dough in half lengthwise and then slice each rectangle into 15 cookies.
  • Place the cookies on a parchment lined cookies sheet at least 3 inches apart. Brush each cookie with an egg white wash and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until light brown. After removing from the oven, let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack.
  • While the cookies are cooking add 2 cups of Ghiradelli melting candy and 4 tablespoons of Nutella to a steep bowl. Microwave on power level 5 for 1 minute. Stir the contents and microwave on power level 5 for an additional minute. Remove and stir until smooth.
    Dip the cooled cookies in to the nutella-chocolate mixture.

This is one delicious and very pretty cookie. The Nutella adds an additional almond taste to this traditional cookie. I hope that you enjoy it.

26 responses to “NUTELLA NEAPOLITAN COOKIES – a sweet treat for La Befana”

  1. Darlene – British Columbia, Canada – Writer of children's stories, short stories and travel articles. https://twitter.com/#!/supermegawoman http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=201634059868404&id=631897250&ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/pages/Darlene-Foster-Writer/362236842733
    Darlene says:

    I love the legend of Strga Nonna. The cookies look fabulous and the kids would love them. (and big kids too!)

  2. Ronit Penso Tasty Eats – NY, NY – Private chef, cookbook author, food journalist and translator. I love traveling and love to find out more about food wherever I go.
    Ronit says:

    Beautiful cookies! Love the addition of raspberry jam. 🙂

  3. Chef Mimi – As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!
    Chef Mimi says:

    Very pretty! Way too much work for me!

  4. V.M.Sang – UK – I was born and educated in the north west of England. I trained as a teacher in Manchester and taught in Salford, Lancashire, Hampshire and Croydon. I write fantasy novels currently. I also make cards, knit, crochet, tat, do cross stitch and paint. I enjoy walking on the Downs, cycling and kayaking. I do not enjoy housework, but like cooking.
    V.M.Sang says:

    This both sounds and looks amazing. I think I’ll bake some to take Tomy daughter’s at Christmas. My granddaughter loves Nutella, so I’m sure she’ll devour these.

  5. the Painted Apron – Life is all about creativity for me, as long as I'm creating something I am happy! I hope I will inspire your daily life and give you ideas for your own wonderful creations!
    Jenna says:

    Another great story that I loved, thank you Bernadette and who doesn’t love Nutella! The cookies look beautiful!

  6. Awakening Wonders – Everyday life is filled with wondrous things and embraceable moments, but only if we allow ourselves to be fully awakened. I invite you to join me as I share passionate life adventures and ramblings that awaken my spirit. I look forward to awakening your senses to the simple, joyous wonders that are all around us. I feel that we are destined to become soulful adventurers!
    Awakening Wonders says:

    These look yummy and of course of love the Italian traditions – keep sharing it with the world!

  7. Retirement Reflections – Vancouver Island, BC – Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
    Retirement Reflections says:

    Yum! They sound and look delicious. And as you’ve brilliantly combined them with history and literature how could anyone refuse?

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