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Italian Easter Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 134 reviews

Classic Italian Easter Cookies, soft and buttery with a delicate almond and vanilla flavor, topped with a sweet, colorful frosting and optional sprinkles. Perfect for holiday celebrations and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (one and half sticks)
  • 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 (optional)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and set it aside.
  2. Mix Dough: In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, beat together the sugar, softened butter, and eggs for about 2 minutes until well combined and creamy. Then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts along with the baking powder. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated and a soft dough forms.
  3. Shape and Bake Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out one-inch balls of dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball with your hands and place them on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies will not brown significantly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting.
  4. Prepare Frosting: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract until combined. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, stirring until smooth and lump-free. Divide the frosting into smaller bowls if you want to add different food coloring to each. Stir the food coloring into the frosting if using.
  5. Dip and Decorate Cookies: Once the cookies have fully cooled, flip each cookie over and dip the top side into the frosting. Place the frosted cookies back on the cooling rack. Immediately sprinkle with optional sprinkles for added color and texture. Allow the frosting to dry completely before serving or stacking the cookies.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the best cookie texture.
  • Do not over-bake; cookies should stay pale and soft.
  • If you want a stronger almond flavor, add a little more almond extract but do not exceed 1 ½ teaspoons to avoid bitterness.
  • Frosted cookies should be completely cooled to prevent the icing from melting.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Italian Easter cookies, almond cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking, frosted cookies, soft cookies

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/italian-easter-cookies-recipe/