Description
Italian Easter Cookies are a light, tender treat traditionally enjoyed during the spring holiday season. These soft, buttery cookies are flavored with vanilla and almond extracts and topped with pastel-colored frosting and sprinkles, making them festive and perfect for celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, sugar, and eggs together until well combined and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and baking powder until evenly distributed.
- Add Flour: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture, stirring as you go, until a dough forms that is soft but manageable.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop out one-inch portions of dough, roll them between your hands into balls, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Space them about two inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are set but not browned. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Color Frosting: Divide the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring as desired to create pastel shades perfect for Easter.
- Frost Cookies: Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the colored frosting, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the cookies back on the cooling rack and decorate with sprinkles before the frosting sets.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
- The cookies should not brown in the oven; bake just until set for a tender texture.
- Feel free to customize the frosting colors and sprinkles to suit your holiday theme.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
