Pupa di pasqua

Pupa di Pasqua in Italian means = Dolls of Easter or Easter dolls! I know what you're thinking, what do dolls have to do with Easter? The answer is absolutely nothing and when you ask Nonnina why, her answer is "IT'S TRADITION!" - alright, alright, I'll eat my cookie and be quiet. Nonnina explained to me that everything they made growing up for Easter like the Pupa di Pasqua or the Easter bread etc. they did not eat until Easter day or historically "after Jesus was risen"  unlike today where we indulge literally as soon as it comes out of the oven.  For your baking pleasure we have cut the recipe in half because believe it or not - the original recipe Nonnina has was double what you see below! A lot, I know, that's because Italian's have this need to feed everyone, and everything that enters their house.  Also, back then families used to be a lot bigger with more children so each child and grandchild got their own doll to enjoy.  This is one of my personal favourite recipes I have been receiving at Easter time for as long as I remember. So roll up your sleeves and get to work Easter is around the corner!  Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 12 eggs (3 whole eggs and 9 egg yolks ONLY)
  • 3.5 cups of flour
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 2 TSP of baking powder
  • The grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 12 ounces of roasted, ground almonds
  • 8 ounces of grated semi-sweet bakers chocolate
  • 1/2 cup of Marsala (liquor)
  • 1 TSP Monica Italian (ammonium bicarbonate) 
  • The juice of half a lemon

Directions

  1. The first step should always be to prep your ingredients - make sure all your chocolate is grated, and your almonds have been roasted and ground (which can be done in the food processor).
  2. In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients as well as the lemon zest
  3.  Pour the dry mixture on a flat surface, and create a well in the centre
  4. In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs and marsala, you don't have to over beat the eggs
  5. Separately mix together the ammonium bicarbonate and the juice of half a lemon.  Once mixed add to the wet ingredients
  6. Pour the wet mixture in the well you created and slowly pull in the dry mixture until fully combined, creating a dough
  7. Continue to mix the dough until all the dry ingredients are combined.  Nonnina's Tip - the dough will be sticky and that's normal, do not add more flour yet
  8. Line a cookie sheet (or 2) with parchment paper 
  9. Dust a cutting board with flour and get creative - roll the dough out then move it to the cookie sheet to shape into your doll of choice
  10. Make sure when you are shaping the dough that you dust your hands in flour as well so they're not sticking to the dough
  11. Bake in the oven at 350℉ for 10-15 minutes.
  12. Let the cookies cool. While cooling mix icing sugar, lemon juice and milk to make icing and spread it all over the top of your cookies
  13. Let the icing set and they are ready to be enjoyed!

P.S - Nonnina did not let me take part in the making of my own doll - she didn't like my amateur skill from last year.

Buon Apetito!

With Love From, Nonnina