Italian Easter Cookies are a traditional, tender, and lightly sweetened treat often made during Easter celebrations. These soft cookies, flavored with hints of vanilla or almond, are glazed with a simple icing and decorated with colorful sprinkles. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, they’re as festive as they are delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A classic Italian recipe that’s perfect for Easter.
- Soft, buttery, and subtly sweet with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Fun to decorate with family using colorful sprinkles.
- Simple ingredients and easy to make.
- Ideal for gifting or serving at Easter brunch.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cookies:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla extract (or almond extract)
For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla or almond extract
For Decoration:
- Colorful sprinkles
Directions
Make the Dough
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. - Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. - Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. - Add Eggs and Extract:
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla or almond extract. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until a soft dough forms. - Shape the Cookies:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls or small logs. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake the Cookies
- Bake:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The cookies should remain pale on top. - Cool:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Glaze and Decorate
- Prepare the Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth. - Dip the Cookies:
Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze and place them back on the wire rack. - Add Sprinkles:
Decorate with colorful sprinkles immediately, as the glaze will set quickly.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Citrus Flavor: Add lemon or orange zest to the dough for a bright, tangy flavor.
- Anise Cookies: Replace the vanilla with anise extract for a traditional Italian taste.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- Braided Cookies: Roll the dough into small ropes and braid them for a decorative touch.
- Pastel Glaze: Tint the glaze with food coloring for a pastel Easter theme.
Storage
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked, undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw, glaze, and decorate before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking. Let it come to room temperature slightly before shaping.
2. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking if it feels too soft.
3. Can I use a stand mixer?
Absolutely! A stand mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar easier.
4. What if I don’t have sprinkles?
You can leave them plain or use colored sugar for decoration.
5. How do I ensure the glaze isn’t too runny?
Add more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or less milk for a firmer consistency.
6. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients and bake in batches.
7. Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
These cookies are soft with a tender crumb, making them perfect for pairing with tea or coffee.
8. Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Yes, divide the dough and add food coloring for a fun, colorful twist.
9. How do I achieve a perfect glaze finish?
Dip the cookies evenly and let excess glaze drip off before setting them on the rack.
10. What pairs well with these cookies?
Serve with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for a delightful treat.
Conclusion
Italian Easter Cookies are a delightful and traditional addition to any Easter celebration. With their tender texture, subtle sweetness, and colorful sprinkles, these cookies bring festive cheer to your dessert table. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, they’re perfect for sharing with loved ones. Whip up a batch and enjoy the sweet taste of tradition!
Print
Italian Easter Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Italian Easter Cookies are soft, tender, and slightly sweet, with a hint of citrus and a delicate glaze. Perfect for celebrating Easter, these traditional cookies are often shaped into rings or knots and decorated with colorful sprinkles.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies:
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 teaspoons lemon or orange zest
- 2 tablespoons milk
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Colorful sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and lemon or orange zest.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a log. Form the log into a ring or knot shape. Repeat with the remaining dough and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The cookies should remain soft and pale on top. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Glaze and Decorate:
- Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, then sprinkle with colorful sprinkles before the glaze sets.
- Serve:
- Let the glaze harden for about 15 minutes, then serve. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For a more festive look, add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze.
- These cookies can be made ahead of time and frozen (without glaze) for up to 2 months. Thaw, glaze, and decorate before serving.
- Substitute lemon or orange zest with anise extract for a traditional flavor twist.