Biscochos (Jon Varsano Recipe)

A fun simple cookie that can be made into a variety of shapes, it’s good year round but I usually make them around Hanukkah because they can be decorated with playful toppings.
-Jon Varsano

• Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup of a neutral cooking oil (I prefer avocado)
  • 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • Optional
    • 1/4 cup of sesame seeds
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1/2 tsp orange blossom water
    • 1/4 cinnamon sugar
    • 1/4 cup of finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate

• Directions

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees
   2. Sift flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl.
   3. Beat two eggs (set the other egg aside for egg wash) in an electric mixer, then add sugar, oil, and orange juice until combined.
   4. Gradually add flour with a mixer on medium speed. Continue to mix until the dough forms a soft clay-like ball.
   5. Remove the dough and separate it into four equal-sized balls
   6. Add orange blossom water to one or more of the balls as desired
   7. Knead dough on a cutting board or clean countertop. Take a golf ball-sized piece and roll it out to approximately 12 inches long. Form a rope of dough into the desired shape. Traditional shapes are a simple ring and a pretzel shape, make sure to pinch the ends so it keeps its shape. Other shapes are a ring with ends half scored forming a flower-like shape, a straight twist, a cinnamon roll shape, and whatever creative shapes you desire. Make it fun.
   8. Beat one egg and place it in a small bowl. Use a basting brush to coat one side of cookies with egg wash.
   9. Decorate the tops of the cookies with desired toppings. White sesame seeds or cinnamon sugar are traditionally, but I like to add chocolate bits or sprinkles as well.
   10. Carefully transfer cookies with a spatula to a lightly greased baking sheet.
   11. Bake approximately 30 minutes until golden brown, white is undercooked, and dark brown is overcooked.
   12. Remove from oven and let cool. Pairs well with tea, coffee, or wine.