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4.0 from 9 votes

Befanini

Befanini are small traditional shortbread cookies served in Italy on the day of Epiphany, that is known over there as La Befana.

Prep Time
50 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 50 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 4 cups flour
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter , soft
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 5 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons rum
  • Small multicolored sprinkles

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Mix the eggs and sugar until frothy.
  2. Add the butter, flour, milk, baking powder, salt, lemon zest and rum (optional).
  3. Mix all the ingredients to obtain a smooth dough.
  4. Let stand 45 minutes in the refrigerator.
  5. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
  6. Spread the dough with a rolling pin to about 1/3 inch (4mm) and cut into various shapes using cookie cutters.
  7. Place the cookies on a buttered and floured baking sheet or lined with parchment paper and brush them with egg yolk.
  8. Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.
  9. Bake for about 15 minutes.
  10. Monitor the color of befanini as they must not be too dark.