These festive Italian Easter cookies are soft, sweet, and drizzled with colorful icing. They often come with fun sprinkles that make them look as cheerful as they taste!
Baking these cookies is like springtime in the kitchen! I love sharing them with friends and family. Who wouldn’t want a cookie that’s as pretty as it is tasty? 🍪🥳
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the cookie dough. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend. Just remember to check that the texture might be a little different!
Butter: Unsalted butter is ideal as it gives you control over the salt. If you need a dairy-free option, use coconut oil or a dairy-free margarine, but keep in mind it may change the cookie’s flavor slightly.
Extracts: Vanilla brings sweetness, while almond extract adds a lovely nutty flavor. If you’re not a fan of almond, you can skip it or substitute it with lemon extract for a different zing!
Colored Icing: While pastel colors are traditional, you can use any food coloring for a fun twist! If you want a quicker option, store-bought icing is a huge time-saver.
How Do You Get the Perfect Cookie Shape and Texture?
The shaping of these cookies is important for their final look and texture. Here’s how to get it just right:
- After rolling the dough into balls, slightly flatten them. This helps them spread while baking without losing shape.
- Use a fork or spoon to create a pattern or indentation, which adds a decorative touch and helps with even baking.
- Watch closely while baking; pull them out when the edges are golden but the centers seem soft. This will keep them chewy!
Let them cool properly – this helps them hold their shape and texture. Enjoy decorating them once cooled! Happy baking!
How to Make Italian Easter Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For Decoration:
- Colored icing (pink, blue, yellow, lavender, or any pastel colors)
- Assorted sprinkles and decorative edible pearls
- Colored candy pieces (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and about 10-12 minutes to bake. Adding cooling and decorating time, plan for a total of about 1 hour and 30 minutes until your cookies are ready to serve!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper so your cookies will not stick to the sheets.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This is an important step that helps your cookies rise and taste perfect!
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, take the softened butter and granulated sugar. Using a mixer or a spoon, cream these together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes. This step is key to getting that lovely texture!
4. Add Eggs and Extracts:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and the almond extract (if you’re using it). Stir until everything is combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Slowly blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms. Don’t rush this step; mixing gradually ensures the dough comes together without lumps!
6. Shape the Cookies:
Now it’s time to roll! Take small portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on your lined baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each ball.
7. Flatten and Decorate Pre-Baking:
Slightly flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass or your hand. Then, with the back of a spoon or a fork, gently press an indentation or make a pattern on each cookie for decoration.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Put the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—the edges should be lightly golden while the centers stay a tad soft!
9. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Decorate Your Cookies:
When the cookies have cooled down, it’s time for the fun part! Use a spoon or piping bag to spread the colorful icing over each cookie. Get creative! Add sprinkles, edible pearls, or colored candy pieces on top for that festive touch.
11. Let it Set:
Lastly, allow the icing to set before you serve them to guests or store them. This ensures everything stays in place and looks beautiful!
Enjoy your colorful, festive Italian Easter Cookies! They make a delightful treat for spring celebrations.
Can I Use a Different Type of Flour?
Yes! If you want a gluten-free option, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Do note that the texture may differ slightly, so you might need to adjust the amount of flour until the dough comes together.
What Should I Do If My Dough Is Sluggish?
If your dough feels too sticky or soft, you can chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This should help firm it up, making it easier to roll into balls and shape before baking.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, consider freezing them! Just layer parchment paper between each cookie and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Can I Use Different Flavors for the Icing?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different flavors for your icing. You can incorporate almond or lemon extracts into your icing for a unique twist that complements the cookies beautifully.
