Name: Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional); 1/4 cup milk; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 2–3 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Colorful sprinkles for decorating

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There’s something so heartwarming about dusting your fingers with flour and rolling out dough, especially when you’re making a beloved family treat like this Italian Easter Cookies Recipe. Tender, pillowy, and delicately sweet, these cookies are a true celebration of Italian tradition and springtime joy. Each golden twist is finished with a simple glaze and a shower of cheerful sprinkles, making every bite a playful reminder that some of the best memories start in the kitchen. Whether you’re baking these for the holiday table or just craving a bit of old-world charm, this Italian Easter Cookies Recipe will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of vanilla, nostalgia, and love.

Italian Easter Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This dough comes together with pantry staples and just a touch of flair from a fragrant extract or two. Every ingredient serves a purpose: some add structure, others softness, and others bring color and flavor that make this Italian Easter Cookies Recipe truly shine.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy base of the dough, giving the cookies their signature soft but substantial texture.
Baking powder: Helps create just the right amount of puff, so each cookie bakes up airy and light.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from overwhelming the palate.
Unsalted butter, softened: For richness and a melt-in-your-mouth crumb; soft butter ensures easy mixing.
Granulated sugar: Just enough to sweeten gently without overpowering the subtle flavors of the dough.
Eggs: They bind the dough and add a slight chew to the final cookie.
Vanilla extract: Classic, warm, and aromatic — it’s truly a must for Italian celebration cookies.
Almond extract (optional): Lends a traditional flavor that’s instantly recognizable in many Italian treats.
Milk: Keeps the dough soft and supple, ensuring cookies that are never dry.
Powdered sugar (for glaze): The foundation for a shiny, quick-drying glaze.
More milk (for glaze): Blended with sugar to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): That extra whisper of flavor takes even the glaze to the next level.
Colorful sprinkles: Absolutely essential for festive flair — use any springtime shapes or colors you love!

How to Make Italian Easter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and ensure your cookies bake up evenly without sticking. A little prep at the beginning means effortless cookie removal later!

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick step means your leaveners will be evenly dispersed, giving every cookie the same fluffy rise and balanced flavor.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for cookies with a delicate crumb—it helps work a little air into the dough, making the end result extra soft.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and the almond extract if you’re using it. These flavors will give your Italian Easter Cookies Recipe its unmistakable festive aroma.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now, gently add your prepared flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Stir just until a soft dough forms — you want everything combined, but be careful not to overmix for the tenderest cookies.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll each into ropes about 4–5 inches long. Twist each rope into loops or little knots. This is a wonderful chance to get creative: they don’t have to be perfect! Place your shapes on the baking sheet, leaving some space between them.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. Be sure not to overbake — these cookies are meant to be soft and pale. Let them cool completely on a wire rack so they’re ready for glazing.

Step 8: Glaze and Decorate

For the final festive touch, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip the tops of each cooled cookie into the glaze, letting any excess drip off, and immediately shower with colorful sprinkles. Let the glaze set before serving or storing — trust me, it’s worth the wait.

How to Serve Italian Easter Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Let your imagination take the lead with the toppings! A classic dusting of pastel nonpareils or rainbow sprinkles instantly brightens each cookie, but you could also use glittery sanding sugar or tiny candied flowers for a more whimsical look. Glazed and sprinkled, these cookies are a visual joy as much as a delight to eat.

Side Dishes

Serve your Italian Easter Cookies Recipe alongside a fragrant pot of coffee, hot tea, or even a little sparkling wine for a special occasion. For a true Italian celebration, try pairing them with limoncello or alongside a platter of fresh fruit for a refreshing bite. These gentle cookies really shine when surrounded by a cheerful spring brunch spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your cookies in a rustic basket lined with a colorful napkin, stack them in a clear jar tied with ribbon, or pile them high on a decorative cake stand for the centerpiece of your Easter table. These cookies also make a sweet homemade gift — just package them in cellophane bags with a handwritten tag, and you’re all set!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Italian Easter Cookies Recipe will stay soft and fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep the glaze intact, layer cookies between sheets of parchment or wax paper. They actually get even more delicious the next day as the flavors mingle!

Freezing

These cookies are freezer-friendly. Arrange them in layers with parchment between each, and tuck them in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze either glazed or plain for up to 2 months. For the very best results, freeze unglazed and add the icing and sprinkles after thawing.

Reheating

If you’d like to enjoy your Italian Easter Cookies Recipe warm, simply let frozen cookies come to room temperature, then gently reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 2–3 minutes. This helps restore that lovely softness and fresh-baked aroma.

FAQs

Can I make the dough in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, tightly covered. If it gets too firm, let it sit at room temp for 15 minutes to make shaping easier. This is a great time-saver for busy holiday prep.

Do I have to use almond extract?

No worries if you don’t care for almond flavor — just use a little extra vanilla or even try a splash of citrus zest for a different twist. The almond extract is traditional but not essential for a fabulous Italian Easter Cookies Recipe.

What if I don’t have sprinkles?

Feel free to have fun with toppings! Try sanding sugar, edible confetti, or even a swirl of colored glaze made with a drop of food coloring. The goal is festive, so go with whatever speaks to your personal style.

Can kids help make these cookies?

Yes! This recipe is wonderfully hands-on. Little ones love rolling the dough ropes and adding sprinkles. It’s a family-friendly baking project and a beautiful way to create sweet holiday memories together.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Keep an eye out for edges that are just barely golden and a surface that looks set. These cookies are meant to be pale and tender, not deeply browned. If the bottoms are a light golden color, you’re good to go!

Final Thoughts

Baking this Italian Easter Cookies Recipe is about more than cookies — it’s about sharing happiness, stories, and little traditions that make any gathering feel like a celebration. I hope you give this recipe a try and add your own special twist to these buttery, sprinkle-topped treats. Happy baking!

Italian Easter Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Italian Easter Cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for celebrating the holiday season or any special occasion. The soft, buttery cookies with a hint of almond are topped with a sweet glaze and colorful sprinkles, making them both delicious and festive.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1/4 cup milk

Glaze:

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Colorful sprinkles for decorating

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually add dry ingredients and milk, forming a soft dough.
Shape and bake: Roll dough into ropes, shape into loops or knots, and place on baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
Glaze the cookies: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for the glaze. Dip cooled cookies into glaze, top with sprinkles, and let set before serving.