Pupi with the egg

04/08/2025

Today, together with Cesarina Francesca from Palermo, we present another delicious Easter recipe, typical of Sicilian tradition: Pupi con l'uovo (Sicilian Easter Cookies), also known as "Pupi cu l'ova".

The crumbly pastry of these delicious Sicilian cookies hides a special ingredient: a boiled egg. This is a dessert with deep historical roots. According to tradition, the egg symbolizes rebirth and fertility. Coated in a white glaze and decorated with colorful sprinkles, they are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate Easter with flavor. Originally, these cookies were made in various shapes, such as a basket, dove, doll, or heart.

On the left, the "Pupi con l'uovo" are being prepared, and on the right, Cesarina Francesca

Pupi with the egg (Sicilian Easter Cookies)

The traditional Sicilian Easter cake that hides a special ingredient inside: a hard-boiled egg

DifficultyMedium

Preparation time1h 30m

Cooking time30m

Servings8

€

CostMedium

Ingredients

500 g of all-purpose flour (00)
500 g of re-milled flour
250 g of lard at room temperature
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
400 g of sugar
2 packets of vanillin
2 packets of baking powder
Zest of 1 lemon
A pinch of salt
200 g of milk at room temperature
For the glaze:
2 egg whites
4 drops of lemon juice
200 g of powdered sugar
Colored sprinkles (to taste)
6 hard-boiled eggs

Method

On a flat surface, begin by mixing the flour, lard, sugar, and eggs. Blend them well together.
Add the baking powder, vanillin, lemon zest, and continue kneading until the dough absorbs all the ingredients.
Add the milk and mix it in.
Knead until the dough becomes smooth and soft.
Divide the dough into several parts, and using a rolling pin, shape and cut the cookies.
Place a hard-boiled egg in the center of each cookie and cover it with more dough.
Bake at 200°C for about 30 minutes.
While the cookies are baking, prepare the glaze.
In a bowl, whisk the egg whites, add lemon juice, and slowly incorporate the powdered sugar using an electric mixer.
Once the cookies are out of the oven, spread the glaze on top and finish with colorful sprinkles.