Tea with Ginetti

Yesterday it was my date for tea with Ginetti, (and one of my girlfriends, too!)

Ginetti is a firm little Italian cookie, not very sweet at all and usually flavored with a slight hint of lemon and finished with a simple lemon glaze.

I changed it around a bit this time, using an orange instead of lemons and finished them off in four different ways. A few I drizzled with confectioner's sugar icing, orange flavored, the others I dipped in cinnamon sugar while still warm, some with chocolate ganache and chocolate sprinkles. The remainder; orange icing again with colorful sprinkles.

Ginetti

This recipe makes about 5 dozen cookies.

You can simply drop them by teaspoonfuls, or use a tiny portion scoop to form them. I used a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip; the dough is VERY stiff so if you use a piping bag be ready for a workout for your hands!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

6 eggs

zest of two lemons (I used a large orange instead)

4 1/2 cups flour

8 teaspoons baking powder

Directions:

Melt butter in a saucepan; set aside to cool to room temperature. Beat the sugar and eggs together until they are very thick. Stir in the lemon zest and melted butter. Sift the flour and baking powder; add to the egg mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Drop by teaspoonfuls 1 1/2 inches apart onto a greased cookie sheet (or silicone lined baking sheet). Alternately you can scoop them out with a very tiny food portioner. (I used a piping bag fitted with a star tip instead.)

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare glaze. Glaze while cookies are warm.

Store in airtight container to retain freshness.

For the glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon lemon juice (it will take more than 1 teaspoon, but start there, then add more.) You can use orange juice, or water insted of lemon juice. (If too thick add 1/2 teaspoon at a time until desired consistancy)

Other than tea, I think these would make a fine accompaniment to a sip of port or a late harvest reisling.

Though the day was drizzly and chilly, we had a cozy time visiting over our simple cookies and hot tea.

The next time you're looking for a simple, unpretentious cookie, and one that is not too sweet, you may want to consider this Ginetti recipe.