Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Tabelle Biscuits - A Classic Dunking Treat
Light, fragrant and gently crisp, these traditional Sicilian tabelle biscuits are perfect for dipping into tea, coffee or warm milk - a comforting taste of the island’s rustic baking heritage.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 800 g Maiorca flour
- ✓ 300 g caster sugar
- ✓ 4 eggs
- ✓ 150 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ 125 ml milk
- ✓ 20 g baker’s ammonia
- ✓ Finely grated zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
📊 Nutritional Information
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Sicilian tabelle biscuits - the sort of bake that reminds you of simple country kitchens, the scent of citrus drifting through the air and the gentle clatter of breakfast being prepared. These understated biscuits have long been part of Sicilian family mornings, baked in generous batches and kept in tins ready for dipping into warm milk, coffee or a strong cup of tea.
Made with soft Maiorca flour, a drizzle of olive oil and the bright zest of an unwaxed lemon, they’re crisp without being hard, light without feeling fragile and beautifully fragrant. The use of baker’s ammonia, a traditional raising agent, gives them their characteristic airy crunch - the kind that makes them perfect for dunking.
If you love rustic Mediterranean baking that’s honest, simple and quietly elegant, these biscuits are a lovely way to bring a little warmth of Sicily into your kitchen.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until pale, light and foamy.
- 2
Stir in the grated lemon zest and the warm milk in which you've dissolved the baker’s ammonia.
- 3
Gradually add the flour, folding gently with a spatula, then drizzle in the olive oil and mix until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- 4
With lightly dampened hands, shape small cylinders or batons and arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment.
- 5
Brush the tops with a little milk and sprinkle lightly with caster sugar.
- 6
Bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes, or until golden and fragrant.
- 7
Leave to cool completely before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
Try swapping the lemon zest for orange for a warmer, more rounded citrus note. If you prefer your biscuits on the crunchier side, simply bake them for 5 minutes longer. For a more rustic finish, use half Maiorca flour and half wholemeal flour.
📦 Storage
- • Keep the biscuits in an airtight tin or jar for up to 10 days.
- • Store them in a cool, dry place away from moisture and heat.
- • You can also freeze them and refresh briefly in a warm oven before serving.
🍷 Pairing
These tabelle biscuits are lovely with a glass of Marsala Fine Ambra Secco - an amber Sicilian wine with soft citrus and dried-fruit notes that complements the gentle sweetness of the biscuits.
Sicilian tabelle biscuits are a celebration of simplicity - a handful of ingredients, a touch of citrus and that unmistakable aroma that fills the kitchen as they bake. Prepare a batch, pour yourself something warm and enjoy a quiet moment with these charming traditional biscuits.
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