Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Excelsior Biscuits: Sicilian Butter Delights
Discover the charm of Excelsior Biscuits, buttery Sicilian treats perfect for any occasion! A traditional recipe not to be missed.
📖 What is it
Discover the charm of Excelsior Biscuits, buttery Sicilian treats perfect for any occasion! A traditional recipe not to be missed.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 800 g plain flour
- ✓ 600 g unsalted butter
- ✓ 300 g icing sugar
- ✓ 130 ml milk
- ✓ 600 g ground almonds
- ✓ 600 g icing sugar
- ✓ 150 g apricot jam
- ✓ 150 g unsalted butter
- ✓ 50 g glucose syrup
- ✓ 50 ml water
- ✓ 5 drops bitter almond essence
- ✓ Pistachio green food colouring
- ✓ 200 g dark chocolate
- ✓ 60 g unsalted butter
📊 Nutritional Information
Excelsior biscuits are a true gem of Sicilian baking, carrying stories of old through their unique flavour. Picture yourself in a sun-drenched corner of Sicily, where the air is scented with toasted almonds and fresh butter, and time seems to slow down. These little cakes, perhaps born within the walls of a convent, have become a symbol of warmth and tradition, ideal for enjoying alongside a good coffee or a comforting cup of tea, offering a cosy, fragrant, and delicate bite every time.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
In a bowl, combine the softened butter, icing sugar, and slowly pour in the milk.
- 2
Beat the mixture until it turns pale and fluffy, then sift in the flour.
- 3
Knead into a smooth, soft dough, then transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle.
- 4
Pipe 6 cm long fingers onto a baking tray and bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes, until golden.
- 5
For the filling, mix the ground almonds, icing sugar, glucose syrup, water, almond essence, and food colouring.
- 6
Fold in the softened butter and add a little water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- 7
Spread the filling over half of the biscuits and sandwich with the remaining ones.
- 8
Melt the dark chocolate and butter together over a bain-marie, then dip half of the biscuits into the glaze.
- 9
Allow the glaze to set before serving, optionally garnishing with chopped pistachios.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
Add a pinch of cinnamon to the filling for a warm, spiced twist.
- •
Try swapping the classic apricot jam for orange marmalade to introduce a zesty, vibrant note.
- •
For an extra indulgent touch, coat the biscuits with a thin layer of dark chocolate after baking.
- •
To make a vegan version, use plant-based margarine instead of butter and opt for jams without added sugar.
- •
The key to crisp, crumbly biscuits lies in handling the dough gently, avoiding warming it up too much.
📦 Storage
- • Store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat sources, to keep them crisp for up to a week.
- • For longer storage, freeze the unglazed biscuits wrapped in cling film for up to three months, glazing them after thawing.
- • Avoid exposing them to moisture or direct light to preserve their delicate crunch and flavour.
🍷 Pairing
To complement the sweet, delicate flavours of Excelsior biscuits, serve with a chilled Sicilian Marsala Superiore Oro Dolce at 8-10°C. Alternatively, a passito from Pantelleria or a Moscato di Noto offers an equally refined pairing. For a non-Sicilian option, a Tuscan Vin Santo or a sweet Alto Adige Gewürztraminer are excellent choices.
Making Excelsior biscuits is like inviting a slice of authentic Sicily into your kitchen, bringing a dessert that tells a story of tradition and passion to your table. I warmly encourage you to give this recipe a go, treating yourself and your loved ones to a truly genuine moment of sweetness. And don’t forget to share just how special this flavour is with your friends using the share buttons below!
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