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
Scale
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.
