Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Barrafranca Christmas Biscuits - An Enna Tradition with Anise and Long Fermentation
Discover Barrafranca Christmas Biscuits, fragrant Sicilian S-shaped anise biscuits made with sourdough and perfect for festive mornings.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500 g strong white flour (type 0)
- ✓ 250 g plain flour (type 00)
- ✓ 200 g caster sugar
- ✓ 100 g lard
- ✓ Refreshed sourdough starter
- ✓ Anise seeds, to taste
- ✓ Warm water, as needed
📊 Nutritional Information
If there’s a biscuit that embodies the warmth of Sicilian Christmases, it’s the Barrafranca Christmas Biscuit.
Fragrant with anise and shaped into the traditional curled “S”, these festive treats are made with lievito madre, giving them a uniquely soft, airy crumb and a rustic charm that recalls winter evenings spent around the family table.
Preparing them requires patience - the long rise is part of the magic - but the result is a biscuit that tastes like celebration itself. Let’s bring a touch of inland Sicily into your kitchen with this time-honoured recipe.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Sift both flours and place them on a pastry board with the sugar and anise seeds.
- 2
Add the sourdough starter and diced room-temperature lard. Rub the mixture together until sandy.
- 3
Gradually incorporate warm water and knead until smooth and firm.
- 4
Cover the dough with a cotton cloth and let it rest in a warm, dry spot for about 3 hours.
- 5
Knead briefly, then shape into small balls. Roll each into a rope and curl into the classic “S”.
- 6
Place the biscuits on a large surface, cover them and leave to rise for 24 hours.
- 7
Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment and bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes, until golden.
- 8
Allow to cool completely before storing or serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a stronger aroma, mix in a tablespoon of anise liqueur or swap the anise seeds for fennel seeds.
If you don’t have sourdough starter, use 10 g fresh yeast and reduce the rising time to about 8 hours.
📦 Storage
- • Store in a tin or airtight glass jar for up to 30 days.
- • You can freeze the biscuits and gently reheat them before serving.
- • Keep them away from moisture to preserve their crispness.
🍷 Pairing
Serve Barrefranca Christmas Biscuits with a glass of Moscato di Pantelleria - its sweet, aromatic notes lift the gentle anise perfume beautifully.
These biscuits capture the spirit of Sicilian festivities: simple, fragrant and steeped in tradition.
Take your time, enjoy the process and share them with those you love - a true taste of an Enna Christmas.
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