These Italian Cookies are a delightful blend of buttery richness and subtle sweetness, perfect for any occasion. With a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a hint of vanilla, they’re irresistibly light yet satisfying. Ready in just 28 minutes, they’re a quick treat that feels indulgent without the fuss. Each bite offers a delicate crumble and a golden finish, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.
Packed with calcium and a touch of vitamin A, these cookies are a guilt-free way to enjoy a classic dessert. Whether paired with coffee or shared at gatherings, their soft, airy texture and comforting flavor will leave everyone reaching for more. Bake a batch today and savor the warmth of homemade goodness!
Ingredients for Italian Cookies
- 10 Tablespoons (142 g) salted butter, softened (unsalted butter can be used; add a pinch of salt if substituting)
- ¾ cups (150 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature preferred (cold eggs can be warmed in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes)
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour + more if making shapes (up to 1 additional cup, or 125 g, for shaping)
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- For the Glaze:
- ½ cup (65 g) powdered sugar
- 1 ½ – 2 Tablespoons milk
- Nonpareils or sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and beat into the batter until well-combined.
- Mix in the milk, vanilla extract, and salt until completely combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. The dough should be firm enough to form into balls. If making shapes (loops, knots, pretzels, etc.), add up to an additional 1 cup (125 g) of flour until the dough is manageable.
- Break off a ball of dough about 1 Tablespoon in size and roll into a ball (or shape as desired). Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet, spacing at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake on the center rack of the oven for 8 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until the glaze is very thin. Use a pastry brush to brush the glaze over the cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle with nonpareils or sprinkles, if desired.
- Allow the glaze to set before enjoying your delicious Italian cookies!
Creative Glazing and Topping Ideas
While the classic powdered sugar glaze is delightful, try experimenting with flavored glazes for a twist. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice or almond extract to the glaze for a zesty or nutty flavor. For a richer option, drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies instead of glaze. If you’re feeling festive, use colored sprinkles, crushed nuts, or edible glitter to match the occasion.
Perfect Pairings for Serving
These Italian cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of espresso or a glass of sweet dessert wine like Moscato. For a cozy treat, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla gelato or a plate of fresh fruit. They’re also a great addition to a holiday cookie platter, complementing other classics like biscotti and pignoli cookies.
Storage Tips for Freshness
Store your Italian cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’ve glazed them, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, freeze the unglazed cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze before serving.
Time-Saving Tricks for Busy Bakers
To save time, prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it soften slightly before shaping. If you’re making shapes, use a cookie press or silicone molds for quicker, more consistent results. You can also double the batch and freeze half for future baking sessions.
Common Questions Answered
Wondering if you can use unsalted butter? Absolutely—just add a pinch more salt to the dough. If your dough feels too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it’s manageable. For a crispier cookie, bake for an extra minute or two, but keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning.
Italian Cookies
Ingredients
- 10 Tablespoons salted butter softened
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour + more if making shapes, see note
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoons milk
- Nonpareils or sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar and use an electric mixer to beat until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and beat into the batter until well-combined.
- Add milk, vanilla extract, and salt, and stir until completely combined.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour and baking powder. Gradually add flour to wet mixture. At this point, the dough should be firm enough that you will be able to form it into balls. If you would like to make other shapes (loops, knots, pretzels, etc.) continue to add up to an additional 1 cup (125g) of flour until dough is manageable.
- Break off a ball of dough about 1 Tablespoon in size and roll into a ball (or form into shapes). Place cookie dough on prepared baking sheet, spacing at least 2” apart.
- Transfer to center rack of 350F (175C) oven and bake for 8 minutes.
- Allow to cool on baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before carefully transferring to cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk. Glaze should be very thin. Use a pastry brush to brush over completely cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle with nonpareils or sprinkles, if desired.
- Allow glaze to set before enjoying.