Susumelle Recipe: Traditional Calabrian Christmas Cookies
Susumelle are traditional Calabrian Christmas cookies known for their distinctive oval shape, fragrant honey-and-cocoa dough, and delicious dark chocolate coating. These Italian Christmas biscuits are soft and aromatic inside, with a crisp chocolate-covered surface that makes them especially irresistible.
Made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, honey, cocoa powder, cinnamon, milk, and baking powder, Susumelle are easy to prepare and perfect for a festive dessert table.
Traditionally associated with Christmas in Calabria, these cookies are wonderful served after a meal with a sweet wine such as Zibibbo or with limoncello. They are also a lovely homemade treat to share with family and friends during the holiday season.
Why You’ll Love These Susumelle
- Traditional Calabrian Christmas cookies
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Naturally flavored with honey and cinnamon
- Covered with rich dark chocolate
- Great for Christmas gatherings and gifting
- Can be stored for up to two weeks
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 500 g type 00 flour
- 200 g sugar
- 10 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 8 g ground cinnamon
- 200 g millefiori honey
- 60 ml whole milk
- 45 ml water
- 16 g baking powder
For the Chocolate Coating
- 200 g dark chocolate
How to Make Susumelle
1. Warm the Honey and Water
Place the water and honey in a saucepan. Warm the mixture over low heat, stirring gently until the honey has melted and the ingredients are well combined. Do not bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Add the cocoa powder and ground cinnamon, then mix the dry ingredients together.
3. Add the Milk
Pour the whole milk into the dry ingredients and begin mixing.
4. Add the Honey Mixture
Pour the warm melted honey mixture into the bowl. Stir everything together until a smooth, fairly homogeneous dough forms.
5. Roll Out the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to approximately 1 cm thick.
6. Shape the Cookies
Using an oval cookie cutter or suitable mould, cut the dough into oval shapes. Arrange the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them.
7. Bake
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Bake the Susumelle for approximately 12 minutes, or until they are cooked through. Avoid overbaking them, as they should retain their characteristic soft texture.
Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely.
8. Coat with Chocolate
Melt the dark chocolate gently in a bain-marie.
Dip or spread the melted chocolate over one side of each cooled Susumella. Place the cookies on a wire rack and allow the chocolate coating to set for about 1 hour.
9. Serve
Once the chocolate has completely hardened, your traditional Susumelle are ready to serve. Enjoy them as a Christmas dessert with coffee, a sweet wine, or limoncello.
Tips for Making Susumelle
- Keep the honey mixture over low heat so it does not boil.
- Let the baked cookies cool completely before adding the chocolate coating.
- Roll the dough to about 1 cm thick for the traditional texture.
- If you do not have an oval cookie cutter, shape the cookies by hand.
- Allow the chocolate to fully set before storing the cookies.
- For a festive finish, sprinkle chopped nuts over the chocolate before it hardens.
Variations
Traditional Susumelle can vary from one family or region to another. Some versions include raisins, chopped candied fruit, or chopped almonds in the dough.
If you prefer a different topping, replace the dark chocolate with melted white chocolate. You can also use a simple sugar glaze or a thin honey coating.
For extra decoration, sprinkle finely chopped dried fruit over the chocolate before it sets.
How to Store Susumelle
Store completely cooled Susumelle in an airtight container or cookie tin at room temperature.
When properly stored, they can keep for up to 2 weeks. Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Susumelle?
Susumelle are traditional Calabrian Italian Christmas cookies made with flour, honey, sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, and other simple ingredients. They are typically shaped into ovals and finished with a chocolate coating.
Where do Susumelle come from?
Susumelle originate from Calabria in southern Italy and are particularly associated with the Christmas season.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Yes. Dark chocolate gives Susumelle a rich, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet cookie, but milk chocolate can be used if you prefer a sweeter coating.
How long do Susumelle last?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, Susumelle can be kept for approximately 2 weeks.
Can I add nuts to Susumelle?
Yes. Chopped almonds or other dried fruit can be added to some traditional variations. You can also sprinkle chopped nuts over the chocolate coating before it sets.
Final Thoughts
Susumelle are a wonderful example of traditional Calabrian Christmas baking. Their fragrant combination of honey, cocoa, and cinnamon creates a delicious festive cookie, while the dark chocolate coating adds a satisfying finish.
Whether you are preparing them for Christmas dinner, giving them as homemade gifts, or simply enjoying them with coffee, these traditional Italian cookies are sure to become a favorite holiday treat.
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