Would you like an almond-based, dense, nutty, honey-flavored, lightly spiced, dark chocolate coated cookie? If you said yes, these traditional Italian Mostaccioli di Mamma cookies are a must for your Christmas holiday cookie platter.
This mostaccioli post was originally published on December 21, 2014. Updated on December 9, 2017.
What are Mostaccioli?
Mostaccioli are Christmas cookies which are extremely popular in southern Italy, particularly among Neapolitans. As is usually the case with regional Italian cooking, you will find endless variations. Today, I would like to share my version which I have called Mostaccioli di Mamma.
The whole process of making these cookies begins by grinding about one pound of almonds, skin on and not roasted. The texture we are looking for is coarsely ground. This will provide a cookie where fragments of almonds are visible.
We then need to incorporate these ground almonds with the dry ingredients which have been sifted together.
As far as the liquid ingredients are concerned, it is simply a question of slowly whipping up the ingredients together, one by one in your stand mixer. The addition of a pound of honey confirms that these are definitely a chocolaty honey cookie.
Here comes the fun part!
With the help of a large serving wooden spoon, transfer some dough on a well floured wooden board and roll out the dough to about 1/4-1/2 inch thickness. This is a soft dough to work with but once you get the hang of it, it gets easier. If you are having a hard time, you can refrigerate the dough for 10-15 minutes. The dough will then be easier to roll as it gets a lot firmer.
These Mostaccioli di Mamma are definitively not your typical cookie. To begin with, they have a very distinct rhombus shape, so we are going to use a cookie cutter to guide us in order for the cookies to have the same shape.
Once they have baked and cooled, it is time for the icing.
Part of what makes these mostaccioli so irresistible is the combination of the dark chocolate coating, the spices and the honey. Make sure to use a high-quality chocolate as this will make a big difference in the overall quality of the cookie.
ORIGINS OF THE RECIPE FOR Mostaccioli:
I was extremely privileged to be raised in a family where Italian traditions, especially food traditions, were extremely important. As such, there was such a frenzy surrounding any holiday period… with Easter it was all about the fiadone and rice ricotta cakes; on Saint Joseph Day we had this special pasta and of course these Zeppole di San Giuseppe; and then, there was Christmas 🙂 (just click on the the word Christmas and you will be directed to the recipe index of Christmas recipes on this site).
Both my parents originated from the South of Italy. My mom’s birthplace was Molinare (Benevento) and my dad was from Ripabottoni (Campobasso) and so, you can well imagine all the wonderful food I grew up with. Naturally I had my favorites, which I will continue to document and share with all of you.
This recipe for Mostaccioli di Mamma would always be made by my mom at Christmas time. I have seen (and tried) many variations of Mostaccioli. To this day, this is still one of my favorite cookies.
Over the years, I have made a few really minor changes to the recipe. I increased both the amount of flour and orange juice which resulted in a softer textured cookie.
As far as the icing is concerned, my mom preferred a very simple chocolate glaze. I have taken to liberty to coat the entire mostaccioli cookie with dark chocolate.
I am quite confident that you would enjoy this traditional Italian Mostaccioli di Mamma cookies with a nice cup of coffee… or espresso, or tea, or milk, or just about any beverage!!!
I truly hope you enjoy making and eating this wonderful Southern Italian cookie.
Gotta go, the coffee is ready!
Mostaccioli di Mamma
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 oz unsweetened cocoa powder 2/3 cup (I prefer to use Rodelle)
- 1 pound coarsely ground almond 3 1/2 cups
- 6 eggs room temperature
- 1 pound honey 1 1/3 cups, slight warmed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- zest of 2 oranges
- juice of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Good quality chocolate for glazing. I prefer a bittersweet chocolate...at least 70%
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Position rack in the center.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. (flour, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon, and cocoa).
Add ground almonds and incorporate with the dry ingredients. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs for 2-3 minutes.
- Add honey. Continue to whisk until well thickened.
- Add sugar. Beat well.
- Add orange zest, juice and extract.
- Switch to paddle attachment. Add flour mixture until just combined. (Dough will be soft and sticky).
Working with dough in small batches, place on well-floured wooden board and roll out to 1/4 - 1/2" thick.
With a rhombus-shaped cutter or with a knife cut dough (I use a 2-inch cutter).
- Place on cookie sheets.
Continue until all the dough has been shaped. Leftover dough trimmings can be re-rolled.
Bake at 350° F for about 15-18 minutes or until firm to touch.
- Let cool completely before glazing with chocolate.
Recipe Notes
If you find the dough too soft to handle, you can add a little bit more flour. Also, you can try refrigerating the dough-the honey will make the dough firm up a little bit.
For the chocolate glaze, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. With a pastry brush, coat the mostaccioli with chocolate.
Can be stored in an airtight container, in a cool place for weeks.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.
Thanks for dropping by,
Ciao for now!
Maria 🙂
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Nella says
My favourite too!! Looooove ”mustacciolis”!
Have never tried making them but will give it a try thanks to your recipe, I promise!
Maria says
Let me know how they turn out for you!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Cristina says
I tried this recipe and it is great. Mostaccioli came out perfect:) Thank you!
If I put them in a closed container in the fridge will they keep better and for how long, do you know?
Grazie 🙂
Maria says
Hi Christina,
I am so glad 🙂 🙂 🙂
I will freeze them, chocolate glaze and all. My mom would keep hers in the “cantina” (coldroom), which is comparable to the temperature of a fridge. They will keep for a good couple of weeks. They never lasted that long in my mom’s house 🙂
Thank-you so very much for taking the time to comment.
Buon Natale!
Deb says
I know I shouldn’t be looking at cookies – what with it just being January 4th and all, but this cookie came to my attention and I can’t wait to give it a try. I’ll need to convert it to gluten free, but these look amazing. So glad I found your site. If you have a minute, I’d love it if you’d check out my site – http://www.glutenfreefarina.com. Thanks and all the best in the New Year.
Maria says
Hi Deb,
I feel exactly the same way 🙂 Of all the cookies one could possibly have, this is my number one. It would be awesome to have a gluten free version of mostaccioli!
I’m heading off to see your site…
Thanks Deb, all the best to you and yours for the New Year also.
Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
Emma says
Can you please specify what kind of cocoa and chocolate you used? Bittersweet, baking, dark, milk… so many kinds make for such different results!
Maria says
Hi Emma,
I always use a dutch dark cocoa in my recipes. As far as the chocolate is concerned, I prefer to use a bittersweet(at least 70% dark) chocolate. I will usually buy it as a block. Can you tell I just love the flavor of these dark chocolate products 🙂 I have made these specifications on the recipe card. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Thank-you so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!
Elena says
For the last few yrs I have tried so many recipes thanks to u I finally found a good recipe made them today they are great happy holidays all
Maria says
That’s wonderful Elena! I am planning to make them this weekend. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Happy Holidays to you too 🙂
PAT says
YOUR SITE IS AWESOME!! SO GLAD TO HAVE FOUND YOU!!
I AM ENJOYING FINDING ITALIAN COOKIES THAT I HAVEN’T HAD IN YEARS. & CAN’T GET BECAUSE ALL MY RELATIVES ARE GONE NOW.
I AM ANXIOUS TO TRY THESE THIS YEAR FOR MY COOKIE TRAYS.
THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH!!
Maria says
Welcome Pat! Trying to document some family recipes was one of the reasons I started this site. Appreciate your comment 🙂
Lina. Yessaillian says
Hi Maria , what kind of almonds do you use for this recipe? Raw almonds, or roasted, or roasted and salted ? They look delicious and I’d love to try them. Thanks!
Maria says
Hi Lina, just saw your comment… somehow it was in my spam folder. I use regular almonds with the skin, without being roasted. I am in the process of revising this post with new pictures and giving it a fresher look. Thanks for dropping by. Once again, sorry for the delay 🙂
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
This looks fantastic!! I was just trying to figure out what kind of cookies to bake to bring to my coworkers. This looks perfect!!
All I need to get honey and almonds. I don’t usually have them in the house (mainly because I find them expensive), but this recipe looks worth it!
Maria says
Your co-workers are very lucky! Thanks so much for your kind words Cathleen! They are a lot of fun to make. Enjoy!!! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Paula Barbarito Levitt says
Maria I made a batch of these yesterday and very much enjoyed your IG post. Thanks for your recipe and giudance.
Maria says
How wonderful Paula! Hope you enjoy them 🙂 It’s all about sharing the recipes that we love and grew up with and keeping traditions going. Appreciate your comment ♥♥♥
Jennifer says
Looking forward to making this recipe! Can I use roasted almonds, it is what I have on hand. Thanks!
Maria says
I’ve never tried with roasted almonds… it should be okay, as long as they are not salted or smoked. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Jennifer says
Oh my gosh these are delicious!! I made with Trader Joe’s roasted unsalted almonds, what I had on hand, and dipped in Trader Joe’s dark chocolate……amazing! This makes a lot of dough, I froze part of it to bake off later in week. I hope freezing dough is ok?
Maria says
Yes it should be fine. I would probably thaw overnight in the fridge. Glad you like them Jennifer. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy holidays to you and yours ♥
nozomibirmignham says
Delicious!
Maria says
Fantastic! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Joanna Eli Luce says
Thank you for this recipe! We usually buy these from our local italian bakeries but they were all out (it IS December 22nd, after all). Nonnina loves these and was disappointed when we couldn’t find them. I decided to give it a shot at home, and I found your page. SO happy with them! They are so much softer than the ones we buy, just the right texture and flavour. I am bringing them over this week-end. We’ll see what she says! :p
Thanks so much, again, and Buon Natale!
Maria says
How wonderful Joanna! I hope your Nonnina will like them 🙂 Once I left the mostaccioli in the oven a few minutes longer in order to get a harder cookie… most of my family preferred the softer version. So, if ever you do want a harder cookie, a few more minutes in the oven will definitely change the texture. Great comment! Appreciate you taking the time and sharing your story. Buon Natale to you and your loved ones ♥♥♥