Roccocò Recipe: Spicy Neapolitan Cookies (2024)

This Italian Roccocò recipe is a taralli-shaped crispy, spicy cookie originating in the Campania region of Italy. This Neapolitan Christmas treat gets its unique flavor from the combination of spices used to make them.

These crunchy cookies are the perfect addition to your cookie tray of Italian Christmas cookies during the festive holiday season!

Introduction

The Italian region of Campania is well known for its unique Christmas cookies.

In addition to mostaccioli, chiacchiere, and struffoli, these Italian cookies are traditional Christmas treats frequently found in the southern Italian region of Naples.

Historically prepared by nuns in religious orders as early as 1320 throughout this Italian region, it is one of the region’s most appreciated, sought-after Christmas cookies. Read more about Roccocò history.

The unique flavor and texture of this taralli-shaped cookie is due to the unique blend of spices referred to as pisto Napoletano and baking ammonia as a leavening agent. The lovely aroma of spices makes them a favorite at holiday gatherings in Campania.

What is Pisto spice?

Pisto spice, also referred to as Pisto Napoletano spice blend, is a fragrant and flavorful mix of spices commonly used in the Naples region. It includes cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, star anise, coriander, and white pepper. It is often used as an ingredient in mostaccioli.

True to Italian regional cuisine, every family has variations of this spice blend. You can tailor the taste by varying the amounts of the different spices.

If you’re looking for a unique and delicious cookie to add to your holiday cookie plate, look no further than this Neapolitan cookie! You won’t believe how easily they come together.

Step-by-step instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).Position the oven rack in the center.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Sift or whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Specifically, 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, and a pinch of each ground anise star, coriander, Kosher salt and white pepper.

Add 1¼cupsgranulated sugar, the zest of one organic orange, and 2 tablespoons of finely chopped candied orange peel. Combine thoroughly together.

Add ½ cup of warm water in three separate additions and mix until the dough comes together.

Finally, add 1 cup of toasted almonds and combine.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, then knead it a few times until there are no visible flour streaks.

Form into a large log.

Portion into 35-gram portions (or the equivalence of about 2 tablespoons).

Roll into a 5-inch strand about ½ inch in diameter. Combine the two ends to form a ring. Refer to the video in this post to see how this is done.

Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Continue this process with the rest of the dough.

Brush cookies with whisked egg.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. The longer they stay in the oven, the harder they get once they are at room temperature.

Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations

• You can use a variety of nuts for this easy cookie recipe. Hazelnuts and walnuts are great alternatives to almonds.
• Replace the candied orange peel with other candied fruit, such as lemon rind or grapefruit peel.
• As mentioned, the spice blend can also be adjusted to your taste by varying the amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices.
• These delicious cookies can be garnished with blanched almonds.

FAQ

Food of Campania

With its rich and diverse flavors, it is no wonder that the Italian region of Campania has some delicious dishes and desserts.

As mentioned, it is home to mostaccioli, struffoli and chiacchiere. But there are also savory dishes like pizza Margherita and eggplant parmesan.

And, of course, a trip to Campania is not complete without trying the region’s famous acqua pazza, Caprese salad and limoncello. All are sure to tantalize your taste buds!

Pastiera

Another Neapolitan favorite is pastiera, with its smooth, creamy ricotta cheese filling nestled inside a golden, flaky pasta frolla crust. Perfect for an Italian Easter brunch or any celebration!

GET THE RECIPE

Roccocò adds a delightful touch to your holiday cookie plate and is an iconic Christmas treat in Naples. With a unique flavor profile of pisto Napoletano spices, these cookies make for a delicious bite.

Recipe origins

My mom was born in Benevento, in the Italian region of Campania. It is a small town in Southern Italy, close to Naples.

My mom’s friend, Nunzia, also born in Benevento, introduced this cookie to my family. If you recall, she also introduced me to this recipe for these addictive thin crispy biscotti a few decades ago.

If you have visited here before, you probably know I have always been fascinated by cookies.

From the first time I tasted these crispy cookies, I thought Nunzia was on to something amazing.Grazie Nunzia ♥

Over the years, I made minor changes to Nunzia’s Roccocò biscotti and finally had a chance to update it after many requests from family and friends.

I truly hope that you have the chance to try this amazing crispy cookie.

I can’t wait to read your comments!

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★★★★★ If you have made these Neapolitan traditional Christmas cookies, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

This post was originally published on December 1, 2016, and republished on December 1, 2022, with updated photos, content and a video. Thanks for sharing.