From a choir of angels to Gabriel, angels are part of the Christmas story. Their role is to share a message and bring people closer to God, explains Father Jim Sabak, O.F.M. He recently joined NC Catholics in the kitchen to make nodi d’angelo, a wing-shaped cookie his Aunt Marie perfected. It’s very similar to an anginette! While the treat has been part of his holidays for decades, it’s his first time making them himself.
The recipe
For cookies
1 cup melted butter
1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (if not available, Father Jim suggests Tropicana)
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
5 cups flour
2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
1 Tablespoon orange zest (Father Jim suggests navel oranges. We used satsuma, which also worked.)
To make cookies, combine ingredients in a bowl. Mix by hand and with spoon. With floured hands, create the wing shape and place on ungreased, non-stick baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Cookies should be light in color. Frost when cooled. Makes about 4 dozen depending on size of knots.
For frosting
4-6 oz. confectioner’s sugar
¼ cup whole milk
1 Tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
To make frosting, melt butter and milk together in a saucepan and add vanilla. Add to bowl of confectioner’s sugar and use electric mixer to create desired consistency. Ice cookies on top, or dip them in the frosting to cover entirely.