Italian Wine Cookies are a classic Italian cookie made with red wine. Known as Ciambelline al Vino, these slightly sweet cookies include a whole glass of wine and are made with simple ingredients.
Italian Wine Cookies are a traditional Italian cookie with a not-too-sweet flavor and a biscuit-like texture. They are made with just five ingredients and would make the perfect addition to any dessert table.
For more classic Italian cookies, be sure to try these Italian Christmas Cookies, Italian Twist Cookies, Zaleti, Italian Sesame Cookies, or Ricciarelli Cookies. If you love simple desserts, don’t miss my 4-ingredient Shortbread Cookie Bars.
Italian Wine Cookies
Italian Wine Cookies, ciambelle al vino, are a classic Italian cookie made with just a few ingredients including wine, olive oil, sugar, baking powder, and flour.
Known also as Italian wine biscuits, these cookies have a slightly dense and chewy texture and are topped with a sprinkling of granulated sugar. They are simple cookies using your favorite dry red wine.
Red wine cookies are a great way to use leftover wine and can be made using white or red wine. There are many different variations of this recipe, some using anise seeds to flavor the dough.
You’ll love that this traditional recipe comes together fast and has a not-too-sweet taste. They are great for snacking or having with a cup of coffee or tea.
So, if you are looking for the prettiest cookies to add to your baking list, give these a try. You’re going to love them!
Ingredients
- Wine: use a dry red wine for these cookies. You can also use white wine instead to make white wine cookies.
- Sugar: granulated sugar. You can also use sanding sugar for sprinkling on the top.
- Olive Oil: use extra virgin olive oil.
- Flour: all purpose flour.
- Baking Powder: make sure you are using baking powder and not baking soda.
How to Make Italian Wine Cookies
These delicious cookies are made with just 5 ingredients! Plus, they require no special equipment! Known also as biscotti al vino, they are great way to use up leftover wine and come together quick.
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to mix together the flour, baking powder, and sugar. To the dry ingredients, add in the wine and oil and stir until a dough starts to form.
Then, use your hands to knead the dough until it is smooth and not too sticky.
Step 2: Shape the Cookies
Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly-floured surface. Divide the dough into similar-sized pieces (this recipe makes about 36 cookies).
Take a piece of dough and roll it into a log shape (thin ropes). Then, shape into circles, pinching the ends shut.
Step 3: Dip in Sugar and Bake
Place the decorating sugar in a small bowl. Dunk the formed cookies in the sugar and place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet leaving about an inch between.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until slightly browned. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack completely before storing.
Tips for Making Italian Wine Cookies
- Use a dry red wine, one that you would enjoy drinking.
- You want the dough to be soft and not too sticky. Add more flour if needed.
- Italian wine cookies are commonly shaped in a circle, but you could roll dough and shape them however you’d like.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also freeze these for up to a month.
More Classic Italian Cookies
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Italian Wine Cookies
Equipment
- baking sheet
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all purpose flour (460 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup red wine
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sugar. Add in the wine and oil and stir until a dough starts to form. Then, use your hands to knead the dough until it is smooth and not too sticky.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into similar-sized pieces (this recipe makes about 36 cookies). Take a piece of dough and roll it into a log shape. Then, shape into circles, pinching the ends shut.
- Place the decorating sugar in a small bowl. Dunk the formed cookies in the sugar and place them on a cookie sheet leaving about an inch between.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until slightly browned. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack completely before storing.
Notes
- Use a dry red wine, one that you would enjoy drinking.
- You want the dough to be soft and not too sticky. Add more flour if needed.
- Italian wine cookies are commonly shaped in a circle, but you could roll dough and shape them however you’d like.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also freeze these for up to a month.
