There is something truly magical about an Italian Butter Cookies Recipe that captures the essence of simple, buttery goodness with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These delightful cookies bring a touch of Italian tradition right into your kitchen, with each bite offering a perfect balance of sweetness and rich buttery flavor. Whether you’re sharing them with family or gifting them during the holidays, Italian butter cookies have that warm, comforting quality that feels like a hug in edible form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Italian Butter Cookies Recipe is a straightforward and rewarding first step. These staples of the pantry come together to create something special, each ingredient carefully chosen to build flavor, texture, and the perfect golden color.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): The star of the show, giving the cookies their rich and tender crumb.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds the perfect touch of sweetness while helping with a delicate crispness.
- 2 large eggs (room temperature): Bind the dough and keep the cookies soft yet structured.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, floral aroma that enhances every bite.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional): Offers a subtle nutty depth that makes the cookies irresistibly unique.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the foundation for structure and chew.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Adds a gentle lift, keeping cookies light and airy.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Chocolate or jam for filling or dipping (optional): Perfect for adding a luscious finishing touch.
- Rainbow sprinkles or chopped nuts for garnish (optional): Bring a pop of color and crunch for a beautiful presentation.
How to Make Italian Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. This simple prep sets you up for success and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is wonderfully light and fluffy. This step is what gives the cookies their tender texture and helps them rise just the right way.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract and, if you like, the almond extract. These extracts breathe life into the dough and give your cookies that signature aroma and flavor.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed, guaranteeing your cookies will rise uniformly.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to over-mix, as you want to keep the cookies tender and light rather than tough.
Step 6: Pipe the Dough
Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe out shapes onto your prepared baking sheets — you can create 2-inch lengths or charming rosettes, spacing them around 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Piping is where these cookies start to look like the delicate treats they are.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden. This short bake time keeps them tender inside with a slight crisp on the edges. Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack — this is key before dipping or filling.
Step 8: Optional Decorations
If you want to add a little extra flair, dip your cooled cookies in melted chocolate or sandwich them with your favorite jam. For a festive touch, sprinkle some rainbow sprinkles or finely chopped nuts on top while the coating is still tacky. These finishing touches make your Italian Butter Cookies Recipe truly shine.
How to Serve Italian Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing can take your Italian Butter Cookies Recipe from simple to spectacular. Consider a light dusting of powdered sugar for elegance or a drizzle of melted chocolate for decadence. Chopped nuts or colorful sprinkles add crunch and eye-catching charm, perfect for sharing at celebrations.
Side Dishes
Butter cookies pair beautifully with a variety of drinks and desserts. Serve them alongside a cup of espresso for a true Italian experience or pair with creamy gelato for a delightful contrast of textures. They also complement fresh fruit or a cheese platter for a sophisticated snack spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation makes a difference! Arrange the cookies in a pretty tin lined with parchment or stack them carefully on a decorative plate. Gift them wrapped in cellophane tied with a ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift. You can even sandwich layers of jam or chocolate in between for sandwich-style cookies that look as good as they taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store your Italian Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to one week. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking.
Freezing
These butter cookies freeze beautifully either baked or as piped dough. For baked cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Frozen cookies will keep for up to 3 months. When freezing dough, wrap tightly and thaw overnight before baking.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, let them come to room temperature or warm them gently in a low oven for a few minutes to revive that just-baked softness. Avoid microwaving, as that can make them too soft or chewy.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or skip adding extra salt in the recipe to avoid over-seasoning. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level better, but salted butter will still produce delicious cookies.
Is almond extract necessary?
No, almond extract is optional. It adds a lovely nutty nuance but the cookies are just as delightful with vanilla extract alone. Feel free to leave it out or substitute with a few drops of lemon extract for a different twist.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Be mindful that textures can vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the flour quantity or add a touch of xanthan gum for stability.
Why should I not chill the dough before piping?
For ideal piping consistency, the dough should be soft and easy to pipe. Chilling can make it too firm, which can clog your piping bag. If your dough feels too thick, let it sit at room temperature a bit or add a teaspoon of milk.
How long do Italian Butter Cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for up to one week. Beyond that, they may lose their tender texture, so enjoy them soon or freeze for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
There’s a simple joy in making the Italian Butter Cookies Recipe that never gets old. From mixing to piping to sharing, these cookies are a heartfelt way to bring people together and infuse any moment with a little extra sweetness. Give this recipe a try—you might just find it becoming one of your most cherished traditions.
Print
Italian Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Italian Butter Cookies with a soft, buttery texture, perfect for piping into elegant shapes. These cookies can be enjoyed plain or enhanced with chocolate, jam fillings, and festive sprinkles or nuts, making them ideal for holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Fillings and Garnishes
- Chocolate or jam for filling or dipping (optional)
- Rainbow sprinkles or chopped nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to avoid sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating the perfect base for your cookies.
- Add eggs and extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and optional almond extract to infuse delicious flavors into the dough.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms, ensuring it is smooth and ready to pipe.
- Prepare for piping: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip to create beautiful cookie shapes.
- Pipe cookies: Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in 2-inch lengths or rosettes, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for even baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets before adding any fillings or decorations.
- Decorate and serve: Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate or sandwich with jam. Garnish with rainbow sprinkles or chopped nuts if desired for an added festive touch.
Notes
- Do not chill the dough before piping to maintain the perfect texture and ease of piping.
- If the dough is too thick to pipe, allow it to warm slightly or add a teaspoon of milk to soften it.
- Customize the cookies’ shapes and fillings to suit your preferences and festive occasions.
