Italian Bow Knot Cookies

Italian Bow Knot Cookies are Italian fried cookies that are served with a drizzle of honey. The dough has very little sugar so it will not be too sweet - all the better for having with tea or coffee.

The soft dough is shaped into small knots, like a bow, which can be prettied up for holiday parties and gift giving. And despite being fried, these actually have a very good shelf life if they are stored in an airtight container and drizzled in honey just before being served.

Italian Bow Knot Cookies

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
2 large eggs
1 cup shortening or vegetable oil for frying
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup honey

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and granulated sugar. Cut in the pieces of cold butter with a pastry blender, or use your hands - the dough should resemble coarse meal.

Beat in the eggs, one by one, blending after each addition. Lightly flour a work surface and knead the dough until it is elastic, about 5 minutes.

Wrap the dough in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.

Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Roll 1 part out on a floured work surface into an 8 inch by 10 inch rectangle. Cut the dough crosswise into 8 strips, each strip about 1 inch wide. Tie each strip into a loose knot and set it aside until all the dough is prepared in the same manner. Finish with each divided piece of dough.

Heat the shortening or vegetable oil in an electric deep fryer or a thick-bottomed saucepan. Carefully fry each cookie, 3 or 4 at a time, turning them over once, until they are lightly golden. Drain them on paper towels and dust with the powdered sugar and drizzle them with honey.

Serve warm, or cool them completely on wire racks then store them, without the sugar or honey, in an airtight container.

Food For Thought - You can make a light icing with powdered sugar, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Add a drop or two of holiday colors food coloring and brush a little over each cookie for a pretty party presentation.

You Might Need:

• Kitchen Supply Aluminum Half Size Sheet Pan 18-inch by 13-inch

• Calphalon 12-by-17-Inch Rectangular Nonstick Cooling Rack

• Silpat 11-5/8-by-16-1/2-Inch Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat

• Oxo Good Grips Cookie Scoop