Papassini

Papassini are traditional cookies hailing from Sardinia. They were once mainly prepared for different festivities, particularly on All Saints Day and during Christmas, but they are now enjoyed and found all year round. The recipes vary across Sardinia, but most of them include flour, eggs, sugar, lard or butter, raisins, lemon zest, baking powder or baker's ammonia, and ground nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. The variations sometimes include cinnamon, vanilla, candied citrus zest, and fennel seeds, while some even use grape syrup (sapa). When kneaded, the dough is usually cut into diamond shapes, and the cookies are baked until golden brown. When chilled, they are generously coated with royal icing, and are then decorated with colorful sprinkles. The name of these cookies stems from the word papassa—which translates from Sardinian as raisins.