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You are here: Home / Italian Cookies / Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

October 19, 2018 by Marisa 24 Comments

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Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies are traditional ring shaped tiny cookies. They’re somewhat rustic in appearance and studded with wine-soaked anise seeds. A subtle lemon scent permeates throughout this easy to make cookie.

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

If your new to this type of Italian cookie you’ll be glad to know that its really quite simple to make. Also, with just a few simple ingredients which you mostly likely already have on hand.

Its also a dairy free cookie which makes a wonderful option for those following a special diet.

These Italian wine cookies are customarily served as an after dinner treat alongside a glass of wine for dipping the cookies into. But they’re also quite wonderful served with any type of liquor that compliments the scent of the anise seeds. Such as Sambuca or even Ouzo if your so inclined. Hubby loves to dip his in grappa.

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

How to Shape Ciambelline al Vino, Italian Wine Cookies

This my friends is where the fun begins. You’ll so love the aroma while shaping these morsels.

Start off by cutting pieces of dough approximately the size of a walnut in its shell.

You won’t need extra flour for rolling. It actually impedes the process.

Roll out to an 8 inch long rope and pencil thin. At this point you can cut the 8 inch rope in half and simply shape into a ring. Much like these Ciambelle Cookies.

However, if you’re feeling adventurous you’ll want to follow the steps below after rolling it into an 8 inch long rope.

Bend the rope so that it rests parallel and start twisting the 2 strands while interloping them together.

Join the 2 ends together and pinch to secure the round cookies.

You’ll want to repeat this step with the remaining dough before dipping in the sugar.

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

You’re now ready to dip these pretty shaped cookies into the sugar. Turn them all over to coat while gently pressing them into the sugar.

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

They don’t take long to bake. In fact 15 minutes is all it took in my conventional mode oven. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn a soft golden hue. And. Oh my goodness. Those wonderful aromas!

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

They’re tender and crumbly, not overly sweet and extremely addictive! I dare you to eat just one!

Happy baking dear friends!

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

Italian wine cookies with anise seeds.

 

If you make this recipe remember to tag @marisasitaliankitchen on Instagram so I can see your creation!

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies
Print Pin
2 from 1 vote

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies

Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies are ring shaped cookies. These rustic cookies studded with wine-soaked anise seeds make wonderfully delicious dunkers.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 30 cookies
Calories 76kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon anise seeds
  • 3 fluid ounces white wine I used hubby's homemade wine
  • 3 fluid ounces extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus extra for dipping the cookies into
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • grated lemon zest from 1 lemon

Instructions

  • Place the anise seeds and the white wine in a small bowl and allow to soak for one hour.
  • Strain the anise seeds and reserve the white wine in the small bowl.
  • Add in the extra virgin olive oil to the reserved white wine and whisk the 2 liquids well then set aside.
  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, lemon zest and the strained anise seeds until well combined.
  • Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the oil and wine mixture.
  • Use a wooden spoon to work in as much of the flour as you can with the liquids until you get a soft dough.
  • Transfer the dough with any bits of flour remaining in the bowl to a work surface and knead the dough until it all comes together in a ball, for about 2 or 3 minutes.
  • Cover the dough with cling wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
  • When ready to shape the the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line 2 cookie trays with parchment paper and set aside.
  • To shape the cookies cut, off a piece of dough approximately the size of a walnut in its shell and roll it out to about 8 inches long and a 1/4 in diameter.
  • Bend in half while keeping it parallel and twist in a rope by overlapping the cookie dough strands. (as seen in photo)
    Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies
  • Once roped together shape in a circle by bringing the ends together and pinch to secure and place on the cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Place about 2/3 cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. 
  • Dip the cookies one at a time in the sugar, turning to coat all over and return them to the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake in preheated oven for about 15 to 18 minutes.
  • When ready they'll be pale golden in colour and firm to touch.
  • Cool completely.
  • Serve as an after dinner treat for dipping in wine or your favourite hot beverage.

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @marisasitaliankitchen or tag #marisasitaliankitchen!

Filed Under: Dessert, Italian Cookies Tagged With: anise seeds, ciambelline, cookies, dessert, Italian cookies, Lemon, wine

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankchef mimi

    October 19, 2018 at 8:35 am

    These are beautiful! I’ll stick with port or vin santo. No grappa for me!!!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 19, 2018 at 9:30 am

      Mimi I’m totally with you on the port!!

      Reply
  2. blankannika

    October 20, 2018 at 6:15 am

    I’ve been waiting for this recipe as I love the flavour of anise seeds. Wonderful recipe, I’m so intrigued that the cookies are dunked in wine… why hasn’t anyone ever told me about this before? I feel like I’ve been missing out on something very important.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 20, 2018 at 9:03 am

      Lol….I remember my grand mother dipping her bread in wine after Sunday dinner but these are way better! And sometimes all that’s needed to finish off a meal, is a little nibble of these crumbly cookies so definitely reserve some wine for these beauties! They’re gone in one sitting!!

      Reply
  3. blankJulie is Hostess At Heart

    October 21, 2018 at 10:51 pm

    What beautiful cookies! I can’t wait to give them a try!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 22, 2018 at 10:08 am

      Thanks Julie! Its just a tiny bit more hands on in twirling them but if pressed for time simply shape into a ring and enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  4. blankFlavour and Savour

    October 22, 2018 at 3:46 pm

    These are so beautiful! Thanks for the detailed instructions. Pinning for Christmas time!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 23, 2018 at 10:05 am

      Thanks so much! They’re sure to please your guests and make a wonderful excuse to linger at the dinner table!

      Reply
  5. blankColleen

    October 24, 2018 at 12:21 pm

    These cookies look and sound amazing! Can’t wait to add them to my Christmas cookie rotation. And try dipping them in wine. 🙂

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 24, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      Thanks Colleen! Dipping them in wine is a must try…white or red, it’s all good! My husband loves dipping them in his grappa but they’re wonderful nibbles on their own as well!😍

      Reply
  6. blanknahdalaskitchen

    October 24, 2018 at 3:28 pm

    Yum~! I’ve had these delicious cookies a couple of times but was never able to get the hosts to reveal the recipe~ Thanks fore sharing this one!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 24, 2018 at 11:51 pm

      Your most welcome! They’re quite yummy and disappear quickly….I could nibble on these all day long!

      Reply
  7. blankcrumbtopbaking

    October 26, 2018 at 5:45 am

    These sound so flavourful Marisa! Love that they are dairy free, and I love even more that they’re meant for dipping in wine!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 26, 2018 at 7:45 am

      As much as I love to nibble on these all day long they’re really all you need after an over indulgent meal and dipping in wine is a must Leanne😉

      Reply
  8. blankpblevitt

    October 27, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    Lemon, anise and olive oil are always a winning flavor combination. I have some of the black anise seeds from Calabria which would be perfect in this recipe. The only problem I forsee is my lack of self control.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      October 29, 2018 at 9:37 am

      I’m sure the black anise seeds would definitely elevate the taste of these ciambellini…will have to look out for those at the Italian specialty store!

      Reply
  9. blank2pots2cook

    December 6, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    Bellissimo ! Grazie milla !

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      December 6, 2018 at 10:41 pm

      Thank you…glad you like them!

      Reply
  10. blankKathleen

    April 19, 2019 at 12:32 am

    Is there a particular type of white wine that you would recommend to soak the anise in?

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      April 19, 2019 at 8:47 am

      Hi Kathleen…any favourite white wine will do! I typically use whichever white wine I may have at the moment and for this recipe I used my husbands homemade Chardonnay!

      Reply
  11. blankAlessandro Polidoro

    January 15, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    Hi Marisa,
    What is the purpose of letting the anise seeds to strain with the wine and then removing them ?
    Would it be fine to add the lemon juice for better flavouring from the grated lemon ?
    I am using unbleached organic flour which I find more nourishing.
    Regards,
    Alessandro

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 16, 2020 at 11:34 pm

      Hi Alessandro! By soaking the anise seeds in the white wine, this infuses the wine with the aromatic scent of the anise seeds. You can definitely add a splash of lemon juice if you like. These cookies are so addictive…enjoy!

      Reply
  12. blankVilma Petricolah

    July 16, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    I’m in the process of rolling out the dough and having a problem as it keeps slitting. Also I don’t think I’m going to get 30 cookies. Not sure what I did wrong. I followed recipe.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      July 16, 2020 at 4:42 pm

      Vilma it sounds like you may have to work the dough a little more…more kneading is probably needed!

      Reply

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