Easter cuculi. The recipe
Cuculi are soft brioches prepared in Calabria to celebrate Easter. These cakes change their name according to the different areas of the region; in fact, they are also called cuzzupe or sgute.
Easter cuculi. Ingredients
- 1kg of wheat flour
- 250g of margarine
- 250ml of milk
- 250g of sugar
- 4 eggs
- Grated lemon peel
- 2 packets of baking powder
How to make Easter cuculi
Put the sugar, eggs and soft margarine in a mixer and mix for a minute, then add the flour, milk, grated lemon rind and finally the baking powder. Knead well, until you get a smooth and elastic dough, if necessary, add more flour but little because the dough must remain very soft.
Divide the dough into many parts and form a long cylinder with your hands; then, fold it in half to form an upside-down 'U': intertwine the two ends of the dough, but do not squeeze too tightly because the dough will increase in volume during cooking.
Place the cuculi on a baking tray, spacing them out because they will increase in volume during cooking, and bake in a hot oven at 190°/200° for about 15 minutes. Take them out of the oven and brush them with milk, then put them back in the oven and cook for about 15 minutes more, until they are golden brown. Allow to cool and serve.
