Description
Delightful Italian Easter Cookies bring sweet nostalgia from generations of family traditions. Crisp and delicate pastries promise a perfect blend of almond and vanilla, inviting you to savor a cherished slice of Italian culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
Icing Ingredients:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 24 tablespoons (360 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Gel food coloring (purple, pink, blue, and yellow)
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking conditions.
- Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to develop a cohesive and well-integrated batter.
- Infuse the mixture with vanilla and almond extracts, which will result in a pale yellow, slightly separated consistency with rich aromatic undertones.
- In a separate container, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Alternate adding milk and flour mixtures to the butter base, gently mixing until just combined to prevent over-working the dough.
- Shape the cookie dough into two distinct styles: create elegant twisted knots by rolling 6-7″ logs for half the batch, and form circular donut shapes with the remaining dough by joining log ends or pressing centers.
- Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing for even heat circulation.
- Bake for approximately 9 minutes, watching for a subtle golden hue on the cookie bottoms as an indication of perfect doneness.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely before decorating.
- Prepare a versatile glaze by whisking ingredients together, then divide into four separate bowls and introduce gel food coloring for vibrant presentation.
- Dip each cooled cookie into the colored glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then embellish with rainbow nonpareils for a festive touch, and permit the glaze to set and dry thoroughly before serving.
Notes
- Experiment with different extract combinations like orange or lemon zest to create unique flavor profiles that elevate these traditional cookies.
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture, which helps achieve that perfect soft, tender crumb.
- For gluten-sensitive guests, substitute all-purpose flour with a commercial gluten-free blend, keeping the same measurement to maintain the cookie’s delicate structure.
- When knotting or shaping cookies, wet hands slightly to prevent sticky dough from clinging and create more uniform, professional-looking pastries.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg