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Whole almond roccocò rings with golden tops on a dark oval platter

Roccocò: Neapolitan Almond Christmas Biscuits

Dense almond rings scented with pisto, with a golden egg-brushed surface. A Neapolitan Christmas batch of about 20 roccocò.

  • Campania

Add the water gradually. The dough must hold its ring shape while carrying the whole almonds. Keep each ring similar in size and leave the central hole open. Brush the tops lightly; the remaining beaten egg is not part of the dough.

Make ahead Let the biscuits cool completely before closing them in a clean, dry tin. Keep layers separated with baking paper. For a gift, include the preparation date and the full ingredients, including wheat, almonds and egg. The cooling allowance is an estimate; baking separate trays extends the total time.

Total
1 hr 45 min
Prep
30 min
Cook
15 min
Yield
20 roccocò

One step at a time, with what each step needs.

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Roccocò: Neapolitan Almond Christmas Biscuits

Total 1 hr 45 min · Prep 30 min · Cook 15 min · Yield 20 roccocò

Method

  1. Heat the fan oven to 180°C. Line baking trays with paper. Mix flour, sugar, almonds, pisto and baking powder.Heat the fan oven to 350°F. Line baking trays with paper. Mix flour, sugar, almonds, pisto and baking powder.

  2. Add the water gradually and knead to a stiff, cohesive dough. Stop adding water once it holds together.

  3. Divide into similar portions, following the selected yield. Roll into short ropes and close into rings. Space them out on the trays; brush lightly with beaten egg.

  4. Bake for about 15 minutes at 180°C fan. The tops should be golden brown; a longer bake makes them harder. Bake separate batches if needed. Cool completely before serving.Bake for about 15 minutes at 350°F fan. The tops should be golden brown; a longer bake makes them harder. Bake separate batches if needed. Cool completely before serving.

Equipment

  • Baking trays and baking paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Pastry brush
  • Kitchen scale

The dinner before Roccocò: Neapolitan Almond Christmas Biscuits

A dinner from Campania, built around this dish. Change any course and the shopping list follows.

  1. Antipasto

    Pizza di scarola

    A covered Neapolitan bread pie filled with tender escarole, black olives, capers and anchovies.

    5 hr 45 min · make ahead

  2. First course

    Gnocchi alla sorrentina

    Potato gnocchi bake briefly with tomato, basil and fiordilatte, leaving soft dumplings beneath patches of melted, golden cheese.

    35 min · make ahead

  3. Main course

    Coniglio all’ischitana

    Ischia’s rabbit, browned in olive oil and gently braised with white wine, cherry tomatoes, garlic and thyme.

    1 hr 40 min

  4. Side

    Gattò di patate

    A Neapolitan potato bake with a centre of cooked ham, Salame Napoli and Caciocavallo, under a golden breadcrumb crust.

    2 hr 55 min · make ahead

  5. Dessert

    Roccocò: Neapolitan Almond Christmas Biscuits

    This recipe

    1 hr 45 min · make ahead

  6. What to pour

    Offer water, unsweetened tea or a small glass of sweet wine alongside the firm almond biscuit.

Campania

Campania

Naples is the setting for a Christmas sweets plate that moves from the almond ring of a roccocò to the dark coating of a mostacciolo and the honeyed curve of a susamiello.

The Campania guide

Shopping list

People at the table
4
On the table

To buy

Check the pantry

The story behind Roccocò: Neapolitan Almond Christmas Biscuits

Roccocò are Neapolitan Christmas biscuits with an unmistakable ring shape and a substantial almond bite. Their surface is uneven: whole almonds interrupt the dough, small cracks open around them, and the egg wash colours the top more deeply than the sides. A roccocò is compact rather than fluffy. The small central hole and broad biscuit ring distinguish it from a soft breakfast doughnut. Pisto supplies the warm spice aroma. The blend varies, but cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coriander and star anise are familiar components. Use a prepared baking blend and weigh it: the spice is spread through a large batch of almonds, sugar and flour. The rings belong beside struffoli, chocolate-covered mostaccioli and honey-rich susamielli on a Neapolitan Christmas sweets plate. This home preparation keeps the almonds whole and uses a little baking powder. A stiff dough and short bake give a different result from an airy cake dough. Expect a firm bite after cooling, even when the biscuits seem softer straight from the oven. Serve one as a small sweet and offer a drink alongside it.

Whole almond roccocò rings with golden tops on a dark oval platter

At Christmas in Naples, set almond roccocò beside struffoli and chocolate-covered mostaccioli. Let the rings cool fully before packing; label wheat, almonds and egg when sharing a tin. A firm bite is part of their character.

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