Italian Easter Cookies are soft, cake-like cookies topped with a pastel almond glaze and colorful sprinkles, making them a festive treat for Easter. These cookies, sometimes referred to as Italian Wedding Cookies, melt in your mouth and are easy to make with simple ingredients. While the American version often uses almond extract, traditional Italian cookies are flavored with anise.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the cookies:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract (or anise extract for a traditional flavor)
3 eggs, room temperature

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk or cream
1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract or lemon juice)
Liquid food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles for decorating

Directions

Preheat & Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs: Mix in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Shape Cookies: Use a cookie scoop (about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough) and roll into balls. Place about an inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Make the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Divide into bowls and tint with food coloring if desired.
Glaze & Decorate: Dip cooled cookies into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Decorate with sprinkles. For a deeper glaze color, dip the cookies twice, allowing the first layer to set before adding another.
Set & Serve: Let the glaze set completely before serving.

Nutrients (Per Cookie)

Calories: 116 kcal
Carbohydrates: 19g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 27mg
Potassium: 50mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 9g
Calcium: 19mg
Iron: 1mg

Enjoy these delightful Italian Easter Cookies as a sweet treat during the holiday season!

A Taste of Italy: The History Behind Italian Easter Cookies

Italian Easter Cookies, also known as Italian Wedding Cookies, are often prepared during the Easter season to celebrate the arrival of spring and the joy of renewal. These cookies are part of a rich tradition of Italian baking, where simple, quality ingredients come together to create delicious treats that bring people together. Historically, Italian Easter Cookies were baked to celebrate important life events, including weddings and baptisms, and they became a common part of Easter festivities due to their bright colors and sweet flavors.

The tradition of baking these cookies has evolved over generations, with families passing down their unique variations of the recipe. Whether served as a dessert, snack, or gift, these cookies are always associated with celebration, warmth, and the joy of sharing with loved ones.

The Perfect Blend of Flavors

What sets Italian Easter Cookies apart from other holiday treats is their flavor profile. While American versions often feature almond extract, the traditional Italian recipe calls for anise extract, a flavor that is both aromatic and subtly sweet. Anise has a distinctive, licorice-like taste that gives these cookies a unique flavor that stands out from typical holiday sweets. For those who are unfamiliar with anise, it provides a gentle, pleasant flavor that is not overpowering but adds depth to the cookies.

The cookie dough itself is light and fluffy, thanks to the combination of flour, baking powder, and eggs, which creates a soft, cake-like texture. The dough is subtly sweet, allowing the glaze and sprinkles to take center stage in terms of flavor. This balance of flavors and textures makes these cookies a delightful treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Simple Ingredients, Easy Preparation

One of the reasons Italian Easter Cookies are so popular is because they are made with simple pantry staples. The dough consists of basic ingredients like all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and extracts, making it accessible to most home bakers. The glaze, which is made from powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract (or other flavoring), adds the perfect finishing touch to the cookies. The vibrant colors of the glaze, enhanced with food coloring, bring a cheerful and festive look to the cookies, making them perfect for Easter.

The preparation process is straightforward and quick. After mixing the dry ingredients and creaming the butter and sugar, the dough comes together easily. Shaping the cookies into small rounds or balls is simple, and the baking time is short, meaning that these cookies can be ready in under an hour. Once baked, the cookies are dipped in the glaze and decorated with colorful sprinkles, making them a visually stunning treat for any occasion.

Decorating the Cookies: Adding a Fun, Festive Touch

The glaze and sprinkles are what truly set Italian Easter Cookies apart from other holiday cookies. The glaze, made from powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract, is the perfect finish to these already delicious cookies. You can add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze to create a range of pastel colors that reflect the spirit of Easter. Whether you choose soft pinks, yellows, greens, or blues, the glaze adds a beautiful touch of color that is both eye-catching and festive.

The sprinkles, which are traditionally added on top of the glaze, provide an additional burst of color and texture. These tiny decorations help give the cookies a celebratory feel, making them ideal for Easter egg hunts, family gatherings, or any other special occasion. The combination of the pastel glaze and colorful sprinkles creates a beautiful contrast against the soft, golden cookies, making them a treat that is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.

Healthier Version of the Classic Cookie

While Italian Easter Cookies are traditionally made with butter and sugar, there are ways to lighten them up without sacrificing flavor. For those looking to reduce calories or make the recipe more health-conscious, you can experiment with substituting some ingredients. For example, using a butter substitute like unsweetened applesauce or a lighter version of butter can reduce the fat content while still keeping the cookies soft and flavorful.

Additionally, opting for a sugar substitute, such as stevia or monk fruit, can help lower the sugar content while maintaining sweetness. These modifications can make the cookies a little healthier, especially for those who may be monitoring their calorie or sugar intake. However, even with these modifications, Italian Easter Cookies will still have that same nostalgic, delicious flavor that makes them a holiday favorite.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect for Every Occasion

Italian Easter Cookies are not just limited to Easter celebrations. While they are certainly a holiday favorite, these cookies are versatile enough to be enjoyed throughout the year. They can be served at birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, or even as a sweet treat for afternoon tea. Their light texture and sweet flavor make them perfect for pairing with coffee, tea, or a glass of wine, offering a delightful addition to any gathering.

These cookies also make fantastic gifts. Their colorful appearance and festive nature make them a thoughtful treat to give to friends, family, or coworkers during the holiday season. Package them in a beautiful tin or decorative box, and they become a lovely, homemade gift that is sure to impress.

Conclusion: A Sweet and Festive Tradition

Italian Easter Cookies are more than just a delicious treat; they are a part of a long-standing tradition that brings joy and celebration to families around the world. With their soft, cake-like texture, fragrant almond glaze, and colorful sprinkles, these cookies are the perfect addition to any Easter celebration. Their simplicity in ingredients and preparation makes them accessible to bakers of all skill levels, while their versatility allows for customization to suit different tastes and occasions.

Whether you are baking them for an Easter brunch, a family gathering, or as a gift for loved ones, these cookies are sure to be a hit. With their delightful appearance and irresistible flavor, Italian Easter Cookies will quickly become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.

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