Italian Butter Cookies
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
50 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Servings
32 cookies (depending on size)
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Calories
152 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
Italian Butter Cookies
Description
Italian Butter Cookies are crafted from a simple dough of butter, powdered sugar, eggs, and flour, whipped until light and fluffy to achieve a tender texture once baked. The dough is soft yet holds its shape well, making it suitable for piping into decorative shapes like S-curves and rounds. The inclusion of vanilla or almond extract adds a subtle flavor nuance. The cookies are topped with options such as maraschino cherries, raspberry or apricot jam, chopped pistachios, pecans, coconut flakes, almonds, and melted chocolate, which bring added color and flavor accents. These cookies bake to a delicate, buttery finish, maintaining a soft crumb that complements their gentle sweetness. They offer versatility in presentation and make an elegant addition to holiday or special occasion treat trays.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 9 ounces butter softened at room temperature, unsalted
- 5 ounces powdered sugar
- 2 egg at room temperature, medium
- 1 egg at room temperature, yolk, medium size
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract, pure
- 1/8 teaspoon salt optional
- 13 ounces all-purpose flour sifted
Decorate:
- maraschino cherries
- raspberry jam or apricot jam
- 3 ounces dark chocolate
- 3 ounces chocolate
- pistachio cleaned and chopped, unsalted
- pecans chopped
- coconut flakes
- almonds whole
Instructions
- Place the butter and sugar in a stand mixer bowl with a whisk attachment or in a large bowl; use an electric mixer. Whip for at least 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, whisking until fully combined after each. Then, add the yolk and the extract. Whisk for 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stop to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl a few times.
- Next, add the sifted flour and mix just until fully incorporated. Your cookie dough should be sticky and soft but should hold its shape.
- Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Transfer the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle and pipe the cookies in various shapes onto the prepared baking sheets; keep the cookies at least 1 inch apart.
- You can make S-shaped cookies, round cookies, logs, or horseshoe cookies. In the rounded cookies, you can press the center with your finger to create a small well and add jam, an almond, or a cherry.
- Transfer the baking tray to the fridge and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 360° F and place the baking sheets onto the middle shelves.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden.
- Remove them from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack; cool completely before serving.
Decorate:
- Add the chocolate to two bowls and melt it in the microwave for 30 seconds; stir and repeat if needed. Cool it slightly.
- Dip some of the cookies in the dark chocolate and some in the white, then sprinkle them with chopped nuts or coconut flakes. Arrange them onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, and allow the chocolate to set before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 32cookies (depending on size)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 152 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 152kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 34mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 66mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 64mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 248IU | 5% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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