On a sunny morning in Tuscany, a soft breeze rustled through the rolling hills, carrying the sweet aroma of Nonna’s seductive Canestrelli. Oh, these little golden jewels! Just the name “Italian Egg Yolk Cookies” makes your taste buds dance to the tarantella in anticipation. Canestrelli is like getting a warm hug from your favorite Italian grandmother while she whispers “Mangia!” in your ear.

Get ready to be taken on a magical journey through the art of baking these melt-in-your-mouth treats, and let the spirit of La Dolce Vita fill your kitchen with love and laughter. So put on your apron, and let’s go on a magical adventure to make these heavenly, sunshine-filled Canestrelli!

Canestrelli (Italian Egg Yolk Cookies)

Gather around, my fellow cookie lovers, because I will tell you the secret behind these delicious Italian treats. Canestrelli are traditional Italian cookies from sunny areas like Liguria and Piedmont. They are also called “the golden crescents of love.” When you take a bite, the soft crumb and silky egg yolks make you feel like you’re in a quaint little Italian village.

These heavenly cookies have a long and interesting history that goes back hundreds of years. The stories about how they came to be are as intertwined as the arms of two lovers lost in each other’s embrace. Canestrelli is more than just cookies.

They are a love story, just like Sicilian Cassata cake,  Sicilian Cannoli, or Italian Gelato, a celebration of Italian culinary fine art, and a testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter come together in a passionate dance.

One can’t help but be hypnotized by the magical dusting of powdered sugar on these cookies, which looks like a light snowfall on the beautiful Italian mountains. When you bite into the crumbly, buttery goodness, it’s like the heavens have opened up and is serenading your taste buds with heavenly flavors.

So, my dear friends, let’s pay tribute to the charming Canestrelli, these Italian Egg Yolk Cookies that have won the hearts of cookie lovers all over the world. As we start this fun baking adventure, may our kitchens be filled with the sounds of laughter, the smell of love, and, of course, the irresistible smell of freshly baked Canestrelli. As they say in Italy, Buon appetito!

Ingredients you’ll need

Hard-boiled egg yolks: These golden orbs are the stars of the show. They give our Canestrelli a rich, velvety texture that makes them crumble and melt on your tongue like an Italian sunset.

All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is the stage on which our other ingredients do their dance, giving delicate turns of flavor structure and stability.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is the whispering wind that gives these cookies a feather-light touch and keeps them as soft as the wings of a flying butterfly.

Cold butter: Cold butter is the maestro of this symphony of aromas. It weaves through the other ingredients with ease, giving our Canestrelli a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar is like a magical snowfall that gently kisses our cookies, adding just the right amount of sweetness to balance the rich, buttery flavors of the Canestrelli.

Lemon zest: Like children’s laughter echoing through the cobbled streets, lemon zest gives our cookies a bright, zesty zing that gives them depth and a touch of fun, just like in this Italian lemon ricotta cake. 

Vanilla extract: Like the soft, loving arms of Nonna, the smell of vanilla extract wraps around your heart and stays there long after you’ve eaten the last crumb.

How to Store Canestrelli?

Once your Canestrelli has cooled, carefully place them in an airtight container or a cookie tin. This will keep them as fresh as the air in Tuscany. Layer the cookies with thin sheets of parchment paper to keep them from breaking or losing their pretty sugar coating.

Can I Prepare Canestrelli in Advance?

Yes, you can make the Canestrelli dough ahead of time.  Make your dough by following the instructions, and when you’re done, wrap it in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for 1–2 days: Give your dough the gift of time by putting it in the cool sanctuary of your refrigerator for 1–2 days to rest and develop its flavors.

Temper at room temperature: Before you shape your cookies, give the dough about 1 to 2 hours to get used to room temperature. This important step makes the dough more flexible and easier to roll, which makes it possible to make Canestrelli with beautiful shapes.

Canestrelli Recipe (Italian Egg Yolk Cookies)

With this yummy Canestrelli recipe, you’ll be taken on a trip to Italy through your taste buds. You’ll sing “Mamma Mia!” as soon as you try one of these delicious cookies. So put on your favorite Italian music, put on your apron, and let’s get ready to bake a storm with these delicious treats.

Ingredients

• 4 hard-boiled egg yolks
• 7 oz of all-purpose flour (200 g)
• 1 cup of cornstarch + 1 tsp (125 g)
• 1 cup of cold butter (200 g)
• ⅔ cup of confectioners sugar (230 g)
• 1 zest for a whole lemon
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract

Instructions

• First, let’s cook the egg. Put the eggs in a pot with cold water and boil it for 8 to 10 minutes. Once it’s done, run it under cold water to cool it down. Peel the egg yolks and set them aside. You can do this step ahead of time so that when it’s time to bake, you’re ready to go.
• Sift flour, cornstarch, and confectioners sugar together in a large bowl. Add lemon zest and vanilla. Add cold, cubed butter and chop everything together using a dough blender or a food processor.
• Now add the grated egg yolks and work the dough with your hands until it forms a smooth ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. If you want to make the dough ahead of time, you can even put it in the fridge overnight. Just remember to take it out at least 1–2 hours before you start making the cookies.
• Turn your oven up to 335 F. Cut off a big piece of the dough and roll it out to about 1/3 inch thick on a lightly floured work surface.
• Use a cookie-shaped cutter to cut out your cookies, and use a medium-sized piping nozzle or other small round hollow device to press out the middle of each cookie.
• Put your cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake them in a preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. You want your Canestrelli to stay pale and not get too brown.
• Lastly, let your cookies cool completely on a wire rack and sprinkle them generously with confectioners sugar. And voila! You’ve made some delicious Canestrelli cookies that will definitely impress everyone.

Enjoyed this Italian Canestrelli recipe? 🇮🇹🍪 Add some flavor to your Pinterest board by pinning the image below. Let’s share some cookie love with everyone, one pin at a time. 😋

Whoever thought of putting the cake on a stick deserves an award, and Starbucks Cake Pops are the crown jewel of this brilliant idea. These tiny treats never fail to improve my day; my kids love them just as much. It’s the perfect way to satisfy my sweet tooth while sipping our favorite coffee blend.

But now we’ve taken this treat from Starbucks menu to the next level by making our own Cake Pops at home! It’s become our family’s little hobby, and we love trying different flavors and designs. From pink birthday cake pop to chocolate cake pop, we have you covered.

The best part is that we can enjoy our homemade treats without spending money or leaving the house. It’s like having our own cake pop shop!! My kitchen is now a mini bakery, and I’m loving every minute of it.

Starbucks Cake Pops Copycat

Have you ever gotten a sudden craving for a cake pop from Starbucks and dropped everything to get one? The way these little cake balls melt in your mouth is really hard to resist. I don’t know about you, but I’d choose a cake pop over any of their fancy drinks any day!

So why wait in a long drive-thru line when you can make these delicious treats at home? Here is how to make cake pops like the ones at Starbucks. You don’t have to leave your house to satisfy your sweet tooth. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a few easy steps.

Now, I’ll let you in on a little secret: these homemade cake pops might be even better than the ones you can buy at Starbucks. Why? Because they are made with just the right amount of cake crumbs and powdered sugar to make a moist, delicious cake ball. And that’s not all—they’re then dipped in a rich, creamy white chocolate coating that takes their deliciousness to a whole new level.

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (for chocolate: Devil’s Food) + ingredients listed on the box

• 3–4 Tbsp vanilla frosting (for chocolate: chocolate frosting)

• 12–16 oz candy melts (pink for vanilla; chocolate for chocolate)

• 1–2 tsp refined coconut oil or paramount crystals (optional, to thin coating)

• White sprinkles

• 25–35 cake pop/lollipop sticks

Instructions

1. Bake the cake
   Heat the oven and bake the cake exactly as directed on the box (9×13-inch pan). Let it cool completely in the pan on a rack.

2. Crumble & bind
   Tip the cake into a large bowl. Trim only any very dry edges if needed. Rub the cake into fine crumbs. Add 2 Tbsp frosting and mix with clean hands. Add more 1 Tbsp at a time until the mixture holds together like soft dough—moist enough to shape, not greasy. (Most cakes need 3–4 Tbsp total.)

3. Roll
   Scoop into 1 Tbsp portions (about 20 g) and roll smooth balls. Set on a parchment-lined sheet.

4. Chill briefly
   Chill 10 minutes in the freezer or 15 minutes in the fridge—firm, not frozen.

5. Melt coating
   In a microwave-safe bowl, heat candy melts at 50% power in 30-second bursts, stirring between each. If thick, stir in ½ tsp coconut oil at a time until fluid and pourable.

6. Attach sticks
   Dip the tip of a stick about ½ inch (1 cm) into the melted coating. Insert the stick two-thirds of the way into a chilled ball. Repeat. Chill 5–10 minutes to set.

7. Dip & decorate
   Rewarm coating if needed. Dip each pop straight down to cover. Lift, then gently tap and rotate so excess drips off. Add sprinkles right away. Stand pops upright in Styrofoam or a pop stand to set 10–15 minutes.

Notes

• Cracks? Balls are too cold or coating too hot—let balls sit 5 minutes or cool the coating slightly.

• Slipping off sticks? The coating may be too thick or the mixture too dry. Thin the melts a touch or mix in another teaspoon of frosting.

• Make-ahead: Undipped balls freeze up to 6 weeks. Thaw overnight in the fridge before dipping.

• Storage: Once set, keep at cool room temp up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Listen up, cake lovers! If you’ve nailed this Starbucks Copycat cake pop,  don’t keep it to yourself. Share the image below on your Pinterest board and invite your friends to join in the fun. Sharing is caring, and in this case, it’s also delicious! 🙂

For Starbucks chocolate cake pops:

Chocolate candy melts: Instead of using pink candy melts to cover your cake pops, you’ll need chocolate candy melts. You can also get these in different flavors and colors, so pick your favorite.

Devil’s Food chocolate cake mix: You won’t be able to make the chocolate cake base for your cake pops with yellow cake mix. Instead, you’ll need Devil’s Food chocolate cake mix. The chocolate candy melts go well with the rich chocolate flavor of this cake mix.

Cake frosting: You’ll still need frosting to mix with the cake mix, but for the Devil’s Food chocolate cake mix, you’ll want to use chocolate frosting.

With these added ingredients, you can turn Starbucks cake pops into a delicious chocolate version that will satisfy any chocolate craving.

Can I Make Cake Pops Ahead of Time?

You can absolutely make cake pops ahead of time. The key is to make the cake and roll it into balls, then put them in the fridge for up to a month. When you’re ready to decorate, just remove them from the refrigerator and start working. That’s all there is to it.

These cake pops can be made ahead of time and are a hit with kids. In fact, the Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops and Chocolate Cake Pops are two of my kids’ favorites. So the next time you have a birthday (or really any event), you can relax knowing you already have some delicious cake pops ready to go.

Have you ever been disappointed by a burrito sauce you bought at the store? If so, you need to step up your burrito game with a homemade sauce that will surpass your expectations. This burrito sauce is the real deal. It has authentic Mexican flavors that will make you feel like you’re eating at a street taco stand in Mexico City.

Once you try this sauce, you’ll never return to bland store-bought options again. So why settle for average when this amazing homemade sauce can add a burst of flavor to your burritos?

I am crazy about Mexican food, and burritos are one of the best street foods I’ve ever eaten. 

Whether it’s filled with rice, beans, juicy pork, beef, tender chicken, or veggies, the fun starts when that fluffy flour tortilla is smothered in creamy, smoky chipotle burrito sauce. And for this wet burrito, it’s like a party in your mouth, with each bite taking you on a fiesta of flavors!

Burrito Sauce Ingredients

Sour cream: First, the sour cream makes a perfect base for the sauce. Its tangy and creamy texture is a great contrast to the bold and spicy flavors that come later.

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: Next, the show’s star is the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. These peppers’ smoky and spicy flavor makes the sauce richer and more interesting. It has a mix of spices and vinegar that makes the sauce taste better.

Garlic: Garlic is a key ingredient that gives the dish a strong, savory flavor that goes perfectly with the smokey chipotle peppers.

Lime juice: The lime juice gives it a refreshing citrus punch that balances the abundance of the sour cream as well as the smokiness of the peppers. Its acidity also brightens up the different flavors in the sauce.

Cumin powder and dried oregano: Cumin powder and dried oregano are both spices that create a warm, earthy flavor when used together. They make the sauce thicker and richer and add a subtle but distinct flavor that ties together everything.

Salt and pepper: Lastly, the salt and pepper are the final touches that bring out the flavors. They balance out and enhance the flavors of the other ingredients, making a well-balanced sauce.

Burrito Sauce Recipe

This burrito sauce will take your burrito to the next level. But if you want to step up your burrito game and show off your cooking skills to your friends and family, then gear up and let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

• 1 cup sour cream

• 2½ Tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

• 1 tsp garlic, minced

• 1 lime, zested and juiced

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Combine the Ingredients:
   Add the sour cream, chipotle peppers in adobo, minced garlic, lime zest and juice, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to a blender or food processor.

2. Blend Until Smooth:
   Blend everything together until the sauce is completely smooth—no big pieces should remain. Scrape down the sides if needed to make sure everything is well mixed.

3. Taste and Adjust:
   Taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper, or lime juice if you like. Blend again briefly to mix.

4. Serve or Store:
   Pour the sauce into a bowl or an airtight container. Use it right away, or refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

How to Store Burrito Sauce?

First of all, it’s essential to store the burrito sauce in an airtight container. This will help keep any air or moisture from getting in and ruining the sauce. Glass jars or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are perfect for this.

Second, keep your burrito sauce in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days, but after that, the quality and flavor may begin to deteriorate. Label your container with the date you made the sauce, so you know how long it’s been in the fridge.

Lastly, it’s essential to know that burrito sauce with sour cream shouldn’t be frozen. When you freeze sour cream, it can separate and become watery, which can change the texture and flavor of your sauce.

If this burrito sauce recipe made you do a victory dance, share the love by posting the image below on your Pinterest board. Believe me, your foodie friends will appreciate it. Don’t keep the deliciousness to yourself; tell everyone the secret sauce. Click that “Pin it” button and let the flavor party begin!