Description
These Italian Easter Cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, perfect for celebrating the holiday. They feature a tender dough baked to perfection and topped with sweet pastel frosting and festive sprinkles, making them both delicious and visually appealing for any Easter gathering.
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 (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Then stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and baking powder.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms without any dry flour remaining.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop out approximately one-inch balls of dough and gently roll them between your palms to create smooth round balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are set but not browned, ensuring a soft texture. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and powdered sugar in a bowl until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Color Frosting: If desired, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring to each to create pastel shades suitable for Easter decoration.
- Frost and Decorate: Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the frosting, letting excess 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 to room temperature for easier creaming and a better cookie texture.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft and not brown.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent cookies from sticking and promote even baking.
- For a stronger almond flavor, consider adding a few drops of almond extract in the frosting as well.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Customize the frosting colors to match your holiday theme using different food colorings.
