Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Catania Totò Biscuits: Chocolate-Glazed Treats for All Souls’ Day
Discover how to prepare Totò biscuits from Catania - soft cocoa and cinnamon biscuits coated in a glossy chocolate glaze, traditionally enjoyed for All Souls’ Day.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 350 g plain flour
- ✓ 120 g caster sugar
- ✓ 1 egg
- ✓ 80 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- ✓ 100 ml milk
- ✓ 50 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ 5 g baking powder
- ✓ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ✓ Pinch of salt
- ✓ 1 tablespoon chocolate spread
- ✓ For the glaze: 60 ml water, 220 g icing sugar, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
If you want to bring a touch of Sicilian tradition to your table, these Catania Totò biscuits are just the thing. Soft, deeply cocoa-scented and finished with a rich, glossy chocolate glaze, they embody the sweetness and warmth of All Souls’ Day in Catania.
These biscuits have a tender heart, a comforting aroma of cinnamon and cacao, and a shiny glaze that makes them perfect for sharing during autumn celebrations. Prepare them at home and you’ll instantly be transported to the lively pastry shops of Catania on the 2nd of November.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Whisk the egg with the sugar until pale and airy.
- 2
Add the sifted flour, cocoa, baking powder and cinnamon, then mix in the milk, olive oil and chocolate spread.
- 3
Add a pinch of salt and knead briefly until you obtain a soft, even dough.
- 4
Shape into walnut-sized balls and place on a baking tray lined with parchment.
- 5
Bake at 180 °C for about 20 minutes, then leave to cool completely.
- 6
Prepare the glaze by mixing icing sugar and cocoa, then add hot water until smooth and thick.
- 7
Spread the glaze over the biscuits and let them dry for at least 15 minutes before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
Replace part of the cocoa in the glaze with melted dark chocolate for a shinier, richer finish.
For a spicier note, add a pinch of ground cloves to the dough.
📦 Storage
- • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- • Keep away from heat sources to prevent the glaze from softening.
- • Freeze the biscuits without glaze and decorate after defrosting.
🍷 Pairing
These Totò biscuits pair wonderfully with a glass of Moscato Passito di Pantelleria, whose aromatic sweetness highlights the cocoa and cinnamon notes.
Totò biscuits are more than a sweet treat - they’re a symbol of remembrance and affection. Take your time preparing them, enjoy them with a good dessert wine, and let their warm aroma fill the house just like in Catania’s pastry shops during All Souls’ Day.
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