Cooking Class: Italian Cookies & Sweets

Class In Historic Main Venue

Saturday 4/27/19

12:30PM to 3:30 PM

This is a combination cooking class and Tea (& Coffee) Party. In this class you will make Two Italian cookies and get to taste three additional Italian sweets. Take a peek below for the details:

Learn to Make:

Biscotti

Likely one of the most iconic Italian cookies and are also known as Cantucci. This cookie originates in Prato, a city in Tuscany. The meaning of biscotti is “twice-cooked” and they are oblong-shaped, dry, crunchy, and may be dipped in a drink, traditionally red wine or coffee. In this class we will also focus on tempering chocolate for decoration.

Italian Polenta Cookies

Polenta is a staple in Northern Italy and was born as food for the poor (cucina Povera) in Roman times. Creativity flourished with this ingredient trying to make it tastier and provide more variety and therefore it was used in many dishes, sweet & savory a like. In this class we will focus on the sweet and also focus on learning to free-hand pipe these cookies into a S shape.

Tastings & Tea (Coffee) Party

While we are waiting for the cookies to bake. We will have a coffee and tea party including tastings of several Italian Sweet Delicacies including:

Panforte:  This is a traditional Italian Christmas “fruit cake” native to Siena (Tuscany). It is a cross between a cake and a candy with spiced dried fruit and nuts. With hints of ginger, this was considered an extravagant delicacy and was only created for the most holiest of Italian occasions, Christmas.

Pizzelle: Pizzelles are the oldest known cookie. The name comes from the Italian word “pizze” for round and flat. Many different cultures have adapted this cookie and re-named it accordingly.  In Scandinavia they are also known as Lukken and the Krumcake is baked using a similar iron as the pizzelle. The pizzelle iron, which resembles a small variant of the popular waffle iron is held by hand over a hot burner on the stovetop. Typically, the iron stamps a snowflake pattern onto both sides of the thin golden-brown cookie, which has a crisp texture once it is cooled.

Lemon Ricotta Cookies:  Ricotta in baked goods will make the dough even fluffier than usual, with a surprising sweetness that proves irresistible. Italians do not waste anything, which is why ricotta, a whey cheese made from milk left over from the production of other cheeses, can be so commonly seen in Italian recipes. Combine ricotta with lemons, which were in abundance in Italy, especially along the Amalfi Coast and you will get the most irresistible cookies, we dare you just to try one.

What To Expect:

In this class hand on cooking class, you will be getting your hands dirty in the historical main venue, learning how to make Biscotti & Italian Polenta Cookies. Class culminates in a delicious meal, inside the historic Commellini Estate’s Main Venue.

+Coffee and tea are included all other beverages will be available for purchase. Consider our Caffé Corretto Cocktail, or the “correct” way to drink coffee with a splash of liquor.

+There is no meal provided in this cooking class, however there is a tea time with additional Italian Sweets to sample. Please see above.

+Learn skills for a lifetime of great cooking

+Work side-by-side with others to prepare the Italian cookies

+Interact with classmates and the instructor for a rich learning experience

+The class, including tea time takes approximately 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

+Each participant will receive a recipe card to take home of the Biscotti & Italian Polenta Cookies. Please note we will not share the recipes for the Panforte, Pizzelle, or the Lemon Ricotta Cookies. These are secret family recipes that are only given to those after a custom pair of concrete boots are created 😊

+Commellini Estate will provide all the kitchen equipment and supplies.

+Classes requires  standing for 1- 2 hours – if this difficult let us know so we can assist with accommodation

+ Class Size: 30 people maximum