If you have a soft spot for delightful, tender treats that embody tradition and joy, the Buttery Italian Easter Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These cookies are delicately tender with a cake-like crumb and a subtle mix of almond and vanilla that simply melts in your mouth. With their lovely glazed finish and colorful sprinkles, they bring an irresistible charm to your holiday celebrations or any cozy afternoon. This recipe perfectly balances simplicity with those special homemade touches that feel like a warm hug from an Italian nonna herself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward, each chosen to create the perfect texture, flavor, and appearance of your cookies. From the richness of butter to the lightness of baking powder, every component plays an essential role in crafting these iconic Easter treats.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The base that provides structure but keeps the cookies tender.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the cookies rise gently for that soft, cake-like texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the cookie’s flavor.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich, creamy moisture that’s essential to the “buttery” aspect.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens perfectly, giving a light crust when baked.
- 3 large eggs: Binds everything and adds a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Provides classic warmth and depth.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract: The signature note that makes these Italian Easter cookies so memorable.
- 2 tablespoons milk: Keeps the dough soft and easy to shape.
- For the Glaze: 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 2–3 tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, plus colorful sprinkles for decorating.
How to Make Buttery Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to keep things clean and help your cookies bake evenly. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your rising agents and salt are evenly distributed for consistent texture and flavor.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy—this might take about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is key for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture your Buttery Italian Easter Cookies Recipe is known for.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk. The almond extract adds that signature Italian flavor that brings these cookies to life, while the milk helps create a soft dough that’s easy to work with.
Step 4: Form the Dough and Shape Cookies
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions and roll each piece into a rope about 5 inches long. Then twist or loop each rope into the traditional cookie shape and place them spaced about 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch closely as you want the bottoms just lightly golden but the tops to stay pale—this keeps them soft and tender. Once baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully.
Step 6: Glaze and Decorate
Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract into a smooth glaze. Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, letting the extra drip off, and immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving. This final touch adds sweetness and that joyful, festive look.
How to Serve Buttery Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the glaze and sprinkles make these cookies stunning on their own, you can sprinkle extra finely ground almonds or a touch of finely grated lemon zest for a subtle twist. It adds a fresh aroma and a hint of texture that complements the buttery crumb beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a simple cup of espresso or a bright lemon tea to balance the sweetness. For an Easter afternoon, a small bowl of mixed fresh berries on the side adds color and natural brightness, turning a sweet nibble into a delightful mini celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies in a colorful Easter basket lined with pastel napkins for a charming gift or centerpiece. Or stack them in a glass jar tied with a ribbon as a lovely homemade present. For parties, place them on tiered cake stands surrounded by fresh flowers to elevate the festive vibe instantly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your leftover Buttery Italian Easter Cookies Recipe cookies will stay soft and fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Ideally, keep them out of direct sunlight and moisture for up to five days, so each bite remains just as tender and flavorful as the first day.
Freezing
If you want to prepare early or save some for later, you can freeze the unglazed cookies. Simply shape and bake as usual, cool completely, and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers, where they’ll keep well for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze just before serving.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, warm them slightly in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds. This brings back that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness without melting the glaze if already applied.
FAQs
Can I substitute the almond extract if I don’t have it?
Absolutely! Lemon or anise extract both work beautifully as alternatives, offering a slightly different but equally delightful flavor profile that still fits perfectly with the spirit of this recipe.
Why do the cookies stay pale on top but brown underneath?
This characteristic is intentional. Baking at 350°F helps the bottoms become lightly golden for a subtle crunch while the tops remain soft and tender, giving these cookies their signature texture.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
With some adjustments, yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, and be mindful to check that your baking powder is gluten-free as well. Texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.
How long can I store glazed cookies?
Once glazed, it’s best to enjoy them within two days for optimal freshness, as the glaze can become sticky or crack if stored longer. Keep them in a single layer in an airtight container.
Are these cookies suitable for vegetarians?
Definitely! This recipe contains no meat or gelatin-based ingredients, making these buttery delights perfect for vegetarian diets.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about making and sharing the Buttery Italian Easter Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring a bit of Italian warmth and tradition right into your kitchen, providing a comforting and sweet treat that everyone will adore. Whether it’s Easter, a special family gathering, or just a day you want to sprinkle with a little delight, I wholeheartedly encourage you to grab your ingredients and bake these gems. You’ll find that every bite is not just a cookie, but a celebration.
Print
Buttery Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Buttery Italian Easter Cookies are soft, cake-like treats with a tender crumb, featuring a delightful glaze topped with colorful sprinkles. These traditional Italian cookies are perfect for celebrating the holiday season and can be customized with various extracts for added flavor.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Colorful sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add eggs and extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate, then add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk, mixing well for balanced flavor and moisture.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms—be careful not to overmix.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each piece into a rope about 5 inches long. Shape each rope into a loop or twist and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden while the tops remain pale, to achieve a delicate crumb.
- Cool cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth to create a sweet, glossy glaze.
- Glaze and decorate: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, letting any excess drip off, then immediately top with colorful sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- These cookies are soft and cake-like with a tender crumb.
- You can adjust the flavor by using lemon or anise extract in place of almond extract.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.
