Sicilian Cremes

by Tarla Dalal

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Italians love their desserts and there is always something special for every occasion. The sicilians are said to have the sweetest tooth of all and many italian desserts are thought to have originated there. This recipe is of a favourite sicilian biscotti or cookies steeped in alcohol and sandwiched with fruits and cream. These are soft inside and crisp on the outside. They do not keep very well, so sandwich the biscottis with cream and fruits and eat them up quickly!

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Sicilian Cremes recipe - How to make Sicilian Cremes

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Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 20 mins Total Time: 30 mins 13Makes 12 to 14 servings
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Ingredients

For The Biscotti
1 cup plain flour (maida)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 cup castor sugar or powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon rind
1/4 cup softened butter
1 1/2 tbsp cold milk

For The Filling
1/2 cup beaten whipped cream
2 tbsp icing sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
2 tbsp brandy (optional)
1/2 cup sliced oranges
1/2 cup strawberries , sliced

Method

For the biscotti

Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the vanilla essence, castor sugar and lemon rind.
Rub the butter into the flour mixture till the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
Add the cold milk and gently knead it into a dough.
Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
Roll into a 12 mm. (1/2") thick sheet.
Cut into circles using a cookie cutter of 37 mm. (11/2") diameter. Re-roll the scraps to get more circles.
Place them on a baking tray and bake in a pre-heated oven at 160°c (320°f) for 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove and cool on a wire rack.
Slice into 2 equal halves horizontally while the biscottis are still warm. Cool completely.

For the filling

Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla essence and whisk till soft peaks form.
Sprinkle a little brandy on each slice of the biscotti, top with a little cream and some fruit on top.
Sandwich with the other slice of the biscotti.
Serve immediately.