Ricette di Sicilia

Name: Excelsior Biscuits
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 800 g of plain flour; 600 g of butter; 300 g of icing sugar; 130 ml of milk; 600 g of almond flour; 600 g of icing sugar; 150 g of apricot jam; 150 g of butter; 50 g of glucose; 50 ml of water; 5 drops of bitter almond essence; Pistachio green food colouring; 200 g of dark chocolate; 60 g of butter

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane

Excelsior Biscuits

Discover Excelsior Biscuits, delightful Sicilian butter biscuits perfect for any occasion! A traditional recipe not to be missed.

Author: Pina Romano • Published on: October 5, 2016

Categories: Desserts

Tags: water butter chocolate dark chocolate plant-based dyes flour 00 flour glucose almonds jam sugar

⏱️

Prep Time

1 hour

🔥

Cook Time

20 minutes

👥

Servings

10 people

📊

Difficulty

Medium

💰 Moderate

🗓️ All year round

⭐ 4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

✓ 800 g of plain flour

✓ 600 g of butter

✓ 300 g of icing sugar

✓ 130 ml of milk

✓ 600 g of almond flour

✓ 600 g of icing sugar

✓ 150 g of apricot jam

✓ 150 g of butter

✓ 50 g of glucose

✓ 50 ml of water

✓ 5 drops of bitter almond essence

✓ Pistachio green food colouring

✓ 200 g of dark chocolate

✓ 60 g of butter

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories

450 kcal

Protein

6 g

Fat

28 g

Carbohydrates

44 g

Fiber

2 g

Sugars

25 g

Sodium

150 mg

Excelsior biscuits are a gem of Sicilian pastry tradition, a sweet treat that encapsulates history and flavour in every bite.
Imagine strolling through the streets of a picturesque Sicilian village, where the smell of freshly baked butter and almonds fills the air.
This sweet has mysterious origins, perhaps born within the walls of an ancient convent, and today it is a symbol of conviviality and hospitality.
Perfect to enjoy during an afternoon with friends, accompanied by tea or coffee, Excelsior biscuits offer a sensory experience with their crumbly texture and delicate flavour.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

1

In a bowl, combine softened butter, icing sugar, and milk poured slowly.
2

Work the mixture until it becomes white and fluffy, then add the sifted flour.
3

Form a smooth and soft dough, transfer it into a pastry bag with a star nozzle.
4

Shape 6 cm sticks on a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 20 minutes until golden.
5

For the filling, mix chopped almonds, icing sugar, glucose, water, almond essence, and colouring.
6

Add creamy butter to the filling and, if necessary, a little water to soften.
7

Spread the filling on half of the biscuits and cover with the remaining biscuits.
8

Melt the dark chocolate and butter in a bain-marie, then dip half of the biscuits in the glaze.
9

Allow the glaze to dry and serve the biscuits, optionally decorated with pistachio granules.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a different twist, try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the filling or replacing the apricot jam with orange marmalade.

📦 Storage

• Store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
• You can freeze the unglazed biscuits for up to 3 months and glaze them after thawing.
• Avoid exposing them to direct heat sources to preserve their crumbly texture.

🍷 Pairing

Pair Excelsior biscuits with a glass of Sweet Golden Marsala, served at a temperature of 8-10°C.

Thank you for reading the Excelsior biscuits recipe. I hope you try them soon and that they bring you moments of sweetness and happiness.

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Ricette di Sicilia

Excelsior Biscuits