December has arrived, and with it the magic of Christmas spreading into every corner of Villa Dianella. To celebrate the festive mood, our chef Alessio Bagnoli shares with you the recipe for his famous gingerbread biscuits, a timeless classic that smells of spices, tradition and conviviality.
Ingredients (for about 25 biscuits):
- 350g plain (00) flour
- 150g butter
- 150g brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 100g honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Royal icing or icing sugar to decorate (optional)
Method:
Making the dough:
In a large bowl, mix the flour with the spices (ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg) and the baking soda.
Add the cold butter, cut into small pieces, and work it in by hand or with a mixer until you get a sandy texture.
Add the sugar, honey and egg, then knead until you form a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in cling film and let it rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Shaping the biscuits:
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 5mm.
Using Christmas-shaped cutters, cut out the biscuits and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
Baking:
Bake the biscuits for 10-12 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden.
Let them cool completely before decorating with royal icing or icing sugar, if you like.
Gingerbread at the December 8th Brunch
These biscuits will also take centre stage at our special Bollito Brunch, held on 8 December in Villa Dianella’s historic cellars. During the brunch, chef Alessio Bagnoli will show guests how to decorate the gingerbread biscuits, an activity perfect for children too. It will be a chance to savour the true taste of the festive season and spend a day full of good food and creativity.
A Sweet Scent of Christmas
Perfect enjoyed with a cup of hot tea or given as a homemade gift, gingerbread biscuits are a symbol of Christmas that wins everyone over. Don’t miss the chance to try making them at home or tasting them at our festive brunch.
We look forward to seeing you on 8 December to experience the magic of Christmas together and discover the secrets of chef Alessio’s kitchen!
