Crostoli (Italian Bow Tie Cookies)

This recipe belongs to my Aunt Carmella and I love these cookies.  I mean how could you not love a cookie that's deep-fried and drizzled with honey.  My aunt would always make these for Christmas and Easter so I had never really tried making them myself - why would you when you have an expert making them. Sadly, my aunt moved away and I haven't had these cookies in a few years. This year, I decided that it was time to carry on this cookie tradition and try to make them myself. Below is my first attempt at making these wonderful, light, crispy, deep-fried, honey-drizzled cookies. The recipe is not too difficult if you use a pasta machine to roll out your dough. But if you don't have a pasta machine, be prepared for a workout. And honestly, I can't imagine making them if I had to roll the dough with a rolling pin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1: In a bowl, combine eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, lemon zest, and sugar. 

 

  

 

Step 2: Sift together flour and baking powder. Make a well in the middle of the flour and pour wet ingredients into center and gradually work in. 

 

 

Step 3: Knead until you have a stiff dough. The dough should not be sticky. Let dough rest for 20 minutes.

 

Step 4:  Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll the dough into very thin strips using a pasta machine. I rolled the dough to setting 6 on my pasta machine.

 

  

 

  

 

Step 5: Cut and shape into bow ties.

 

 

Step 6: Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 375 degrees F. Drop bow tie shape cookie in the heated oil and deep fry until golden. Drizzle honey over cookies while still warm.