Calabrian Mostaccioli

Mostaccioli, also known as ‘mustazzoli’, are typical sweets from the Christmas period in Calabria. They are spiced cookies that are covered with a chocolate glaze.

Ingredients

• 500 g of 00 flour
• 250 g of sugar
• 100 g of honey
• 100 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 1 packet of vanillin
• 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 orange (grated zest)
• A pinch of salt
• Water as needed
• 200 g of dark chocolate (for the coating)
• 50 g of butter (for the coating)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, sift the flour with the cocoa, baking powder, vanillin, cloves, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
2. Add the sugar, honey and grated orange zest.
3. Combine everything, gradually adding lukewarm water until you obtain a compact and homogeneous dough.
4. Shape the dough into small rectangles or diamonds, about half a centimeter thick.
5. Arrange the Mostaccioli on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, spaced apart to prevent them from sticking during baking.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15-20 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, prepare the coating by melting the dark chocolate in a double boiler with the butter.
8. Once baked, let the Mostaccioli cool and then dip them one by one in the chocolate glaze, making sure to cover them completely.
9. Let the glaze set before serving.

Trivia

Traditionally the recipe calls for the use of cooked must instead of sugar, from which the name “Mostaccioli” probably derives. In addition, the type of chocolate used for the coating can vary from family to family; some prefer a sweeter chocolate, others a more bitter version.

I hope you find this recipe satisfying and that the Calabrian Mostaccioli will bring a bit of Calabrian flavor and tradition to your home!