If you have a soft spot for traditional, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that bring a burst of festive joy, you absolutely need to try this Italian Easter Cookies Recipe. These cookies are not only a classic treat but also a colorful celebration of flavor and texture with their tender crumb and sweet, pastel frosting. Perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday or any special occasion, this recipe captures the essence of Italian baking with hints of almond and vanilla that will have everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Italian Easter Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role, whether lending moisture, flavor, or structure, ensuring the cookies come out just right every time.
- Unsalted butter, ¾ cup: Softened butter adds richness and creates that tender cookie texture we love.
- Sugar, 1 cup: Sweetness that balances the almond and vanilla perfectly.
- Large eggs, 3: These provide moisture and help bind everything together.
- Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: A classic flavor enhancer that deepens the cookie’s overall taste.
- Almond extract, 1 teaspoon: The star of the show, giving the cookies their signature nutty aroma.
- Baking powder, 1 tablespoon: Helps the cookies rise to a soft, fluffy texture without spreading too much.
- All-purpose flour, 3 ½ cups: The base that provides structure to the dough.
- Milk, ¼ cup (for frosting): Adds creaminess to the frosting for smooth application.
- Butter, 2 tablespoons melted (for frosting): Enriches the frosting’s flavor and texture.
- Powdered sugar, 2 ½ cups (for frosting): Creates a sweet, silky frosting that sets beautifully.
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional): For a fun, festive touch that makes these cookies look as delightful as they taste.
How to Make Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures the cookies won’t stick and promotes even baking, setting the stage for perfect cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Eggs
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, helping your cookies stay light and tender.
Step 3: Add Flavors and Baking Powder
Next, add the vanilla and almond extracts along with the baking powder. These ingredients not only provide flavor but also help the cookies rise and develop a delightful texture.
Step 4: Incorporate Flour
Carefully mix in the flour a little at a time until a soft dough forms. Be mindful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender and prevent them from becoming tough.
Step 5: Shape and Arrange the Cookies
Roll the dough into one-inch balls with your hands and place them on the prepared baking sheet about two inches apart. This spacing gives the cookies room to rise without sticking together.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should be set but not browned, maintaining their delicate soft texture inside.
Step 7: Make the Frosting
While the cookies cool, whisk together milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and powdered sugar until smooth. This frosting will be luscious and perfect for dipping.
Step 8: Color and Decorate
Divide the frosting into separate bowls, tinting each with food coloring for those charming pastel shades. Dip the tops of cooled cookies into the frosting and allow any excess to drip off. Finally, sprinkle with colorful sprinkles before the frosting sets to add that festive flair everyone loves.
How to Serve Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies shine with their classic frosting and sprinkles, but you can also get creative by adding crushed pistachios or finely chopped almonds right after frosting. It adds a delightful crunch and enhances the almond flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
While Italian Easter Cookies are often enjoyed on their own, they pair spectacularly with a cup of rich espresso or a light herbal tea. For a festive brunch, serve them alongside ricotta-stuffed French toast or a fresh fruit salad for a colorful, well-rounded spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a circular pattern resembling a spring wreath on a decorative platter or stack them with parchment paper between layers in a beautiful tin for gifting. Wrapping a simple ribbon around a stack adds a personal touch that is sure to warm hearts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Italian Easter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Keep them out of direct sunlight to preserve the frosting’s vibrant colors and the cookies’ tender texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies for longer, they freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking tray to freeze initially, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. They’ll last for up to three months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, thaw them at room temperature for a couple of hours. You can lightly warm them in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes to refresh their softness, just be careful not to melt the frosting.
FAQs
Can I use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour in this Italian Easter Cookies Recipe?
Almond flour has a different texture and moisture content, so substituting it entirely may affect the dough’s consistency and how the cookies bake. For best results, stick to all-purpose flour or try a combination with some almond flour for subtle nuttiness.
How important is the almond extract in this recipe?
Almond extract is a key flavor element in Italian Easter Cookies, giving them their distinctive aroma and taste. Leaving it out would change the cookie’s classic profile, but if you’re allergic or don’t like almond, vanilla can be increased slightly as a substitute.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, but you’ll need to use a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Since gluten provides structure, using a blend with xanthan gum or similar binding agents will help the cookies hold together and maintain texture.
Is it okay to skip the frosting?
Absolutely! The cookies themselves are delicious on their own with a buttery, almond flavor. Frosting adds sweetness and festive color, but the cookie tastes wonderful without it, just more understated.
What other decorations work well besides sprinkles?
Try finely chopped nuts, colored sugar crystals, or even edible glitter to add sparkle and texture. Fresh edible flowers can also be a beautiful and unique way to dress up your Italian Easter Cookies for a special occasion.
Final Thoughts
This Italian Easter Cookies Recipe is a true delight, full of warmth, tradition, and bright, happy flavors. Whether you’re making them for a holiday feast or simply craving a tender, buttery cookie with a charming twist, these treats are sure to bring a smile to your face and yours loved ones’. Don’t hesitate to dive in and make these timeless cookies your new favorite indulgence!
Print
Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Italian Easter Cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts. Perfectly tender and topped with a sweet pastel frosting, these cookies are a traditional treat enjoyed during Easter celebrations. Easy to make with common pantry ingredients, they offer a delightful combination of simple flavors and festive decoration.
Ingredients
Cookies
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Frosting
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
- Cream Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and baking powder for flavor and leavening.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a dough forms that holds together but is not too dry.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop out one-inch balls of dough and roll them between your hands to form smooth spheres. Place these balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the cookies are firm but not browned. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and powdered sugar until a smooth, fluffy frosting forms.
- Color Frosting: Divide the frosting into several small bowls and mix in food coloring to create soft pastel shades for decorating the cookies.
- Frost Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the colored frosting, allowing excess to drip off. Return the frosted cookies to the cooling rack and decorate with sprinkles before the frosting sets.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best cookie texture.
- Do not overbake; the cookies should not brown to maintain their tender crumb.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal of cookies.
- The frosting can be made in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator; bring it to room temperature before use.
- Customize the frosting colors and decorations to match your holiday or party theme.
