Description
Delight in these soft and cake-like Italian Easter Cookies, featuring subtle almond flavor and topped with a sweet, colorful glaze. Perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you crave a classic, festive treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, as needed
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
- Colorful sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture turns light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This step aerates the dough for a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition to fully combine. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the dough with flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, gradually add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into 5-inch ropes. Shape each rope into loops or twists, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms turn lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: While the cookies cool slightly, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth to make a glaze. Dip the tops of each cooled cookie into the glaze, then immediately sprinkle with colorful nonpareils or jimmies for a festive finish.
- Let Glaze Set: Allow the glazed cookies to rest until the glaze hardens and sets properly before serving to avoid stickiness.
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cake-like texture with a subtle almond flavor.
- You can shape the dough into knots, twists, or circles according to your preference.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
