Description
Creamy Italian butter cookies delight palates with their delicate crumb and rich flavor. Homemade treats melt in your mouth, offering pure Mediterranean sweetness that connects you to classic bakery traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227 grams/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (250 grams/8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (85 grams/3 oz) powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (90 grams/3.2 oz) melted semi-sweet chocolate (for dipping)
- Sprinkles, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut (for decoration)
- Maraschino cherries or jam (for centers)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Position the rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C). Arrange parchment paper on baking sheets for optimal cookie release.
- Butter Mixture: Whip butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and pale. Blend egg, vanilla, and almond extracts into a silky, uniform consistency.
- Dough Formation: Fold flour and salt into wet ingredients, creating a pliable dough that holds its shape when piped. Ensure smooth integration without overmixing.
- Piping Technique: Fill a piping bag with a large star tip. Craft elegant rosettes or swirls on prepared sheets, spacing cookies one inch apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Baking Process: Slide sheets into preheated oven and bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden hue. Monitor closely to prevent over-browning.
- Cooling and Finishing: Rest cookies on baking sheets for five minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack. Once completely cooled, dip in melted chocolate or adorn with sprinkles, crushed nuts, or a dollop of jam for added sophistication.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smooth, even creaming that creates a light, airy cookie texture.
- Precise Piping Technique: Hold the piping bag at a 90-degree angle to the baking sheet for uniform, professional-looking cookie shapes.
- Avoid Overbaking: Watch cookies closely during the last two minutes of baking; golden edges indicate perfect doneness without drying out the delicate texture.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 157
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg