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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Golden glazed Monreale S-shaped biscuits on a white cloth

Monreale S-Biscuits - A Classic from the Palermo Hills

Discover Monreale S-Biscuits, crisp-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside Sicilian favourites - perfect with tea, coffee or a glass of Marsala.

⏱️
Prep Time
30 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
20 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Easy
💰 Low
🗓️ All year
4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • 1 kg plain flour
  • 300 ml milk
  • 200 g lard
  • 200 g caster sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 sachet vanilla sugar
  • 10 g baker’s ammonia
  • 100 g icing sugar
  • 1 egg white
  • Juice of 1 lemon

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
430 kcal
Carbohydrates
65 g
Fat
12 g
Protein
7 g

A true staple of Palermo’s convent and home baking, Monreale S-Biscuits-with their unmistakeable curled shape-have been loved for generations.
Born within the walls of the Monastery of San Castrense, these gently perfumed biscuits combine the warmth of vanilla with the bright aroma of lemon.

Crisp, golden and beautifully simple, they’re perfect for breakfast or for dipping into an afternoon cup of tea. Baking them at home means bringing a touch of Sicilian comfort right into your kitchen.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Tip the sifted flour onto a pastry board and add the sugar, diced lard, egg yolk, baker’s ammonia and vanilla.

  2. 2

    Work in the milk gradually until you have a smooth, even dough.

  3. 3

    Shape into a ball, wrap in cling film and rest in the fridge for about 1 hour.

  4. 4

    Take pieces of dough and shape them into 12 cm “S” curves.

  5. 5

    Arrange the biscuits on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes, until golden.

  6. 6

    Prepare the glaze by mixing the egg white with icing sugar and lemon juice until thick and glossy.

  7. 7

    Brush or pipe the glaze onto the biscuits and allow them to cool completely before serving.

💡 Tips and Variations

Swap the lard for butter if you prefer a gentler flavour.
Add extra grated lemon zest to the dough for a brighter citrus aroma.

📦 Storage

  • Store Monreale S-Biscuits in a tin or airtight container for up to 10 days.
  • Keep away from humidity to preserve their crisp texture.

🍷 Pairing

These biscuits are lovely with Marsala Fine Ambra Secco or a fragrant citrus tea - the perfect moment of Sicilian sweetness.

Crisp, aromatic and wonderfully nostalgic, Monreale S-Biscuits are one of Sicily’s most cherished traditions.
Bake a batch at home and enjoy a little taste of Palermo’s dolce heritage - simple, comforting and irresistibly good.

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