Buttery Italian Easter Cookies: A Delicious Tradition
Celebrate the joy of Easter with these delightful Buttery Italian Easter Cookies! family and friends!
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar and eggs together until light and fluffy.
- Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest to the egg mixture, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
4. Shape the Cookies:
- Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them into balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
7. Glaze the Cookies:
- Once the cookies have cooled, dip the tops of each cookie into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Place the glazed cookies back onto the wire rack and decorate with sprinkles or colored sugar, if desired.
8. Let the Glaze Set:
- Allow the glaze to set completely before serving or storing the cookies in an airtight container.
Enjoy the buttery goodness of these Italian Easter Cookies as you celebrate the holiday with loved ones. Their delicate flavor and festive appearance are sure to bring joy to your Easter table!