Jolly Festive Italian Easter Cookies Recipe: Sprinkle Joy!

Sweet memories of childhood spring to life with these delightful italian easter cookies that dance between tradition and pure deliciousness.

Generations have passed down this treasured recipe, creating moments of joy around family tables.

Soft, tender, and elegantly dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies tell a story of love and celebration.

Every bite connects you to generations of Italian baking heritage.

Crisp yet delicate, they blend simple ingredients into something magical.

Each cookie carries the warmth of home-baked comfort and festive cheer.

Prepare to be transported by these irresistible treats that promise to make your Easter celebration truly memorable.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 24

Italian Easter Cookie Essentials

• Flour: Provides structure and holds the cookie together, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light and airy texture, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine kosher or sea salt.

• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and tender crumb, select high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden edges, opt for pure cane sugar.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture, use large fresh eggs at room temperature.
• Milk: Softens dough and adds subtle richness, whole milk recommended for best results.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides classic sweet undertone, choose pure extract over imitation.
• Almond Extract: Adds delicate nutty essence, use sparingly for subtle flavor.
• Lemon/Orange Zest: Brings bright citrus notes, use fresh zest for vibrant taste.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy coating, sift to remove lumps.
• Sprinkles: Adds festive color and whimsical touch, select pastel or bright colors for Easter theme.

Traditional Tools for Italian Easter Baking

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Helps create fluffy butter and sugar mixture quickly.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients and preparing glaze.
• Baking sheets: Needed to bake cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing glaze ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down bowl sides and mix ingredients thoroughly.

Shaping and Baking Italian Easter Cookies

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating the perfect stage for delicious cookies.

• Whip Up the Base

In a mixing bowl, blend softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness, creating a smooth foundation for your treat.

• Introduce Liquid Magic

Gently fold in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla and citrus zest, watching your mixture come alive with vibrant flavors.

• Create Cookie Dough

Slowly marry dry ingredients with your wet mixture, adding milk to create a soft, tender dough that’s ready to be shaped into delightful rings.

• Craft Cookie Shapes

Roll small portions of dough into charming rings or playful knots, placing them carefully on your prepared baking sheets with plenty of breathing room.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide your cookies into the oven, letting them dance and turn golden for 10-12 minutes until they’re just barely kissed by color.

• Dress with Glaze

Whip up a silky smooth glaze by whisking powdered sugar and milk, creating a sweet coating that’ll make your cookies shine.

• Decorate and Celebrate

Dunk cookie tops into the glaze, then sprinkle with colorful confetti to add a festive touch that’ll make everyone smile.

Custom Flavor Tips for Easter Cookie Fans

• Cookie Perfection Tricks: Soft, Fluffy Centers
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookies. Overmixing develops gluten, creating harder textures.
• Flavor Boosting Secrets
• Extract Swaps: Experiment with different extracts like orange, rose water, or anise for unique flavor profiles. Each extract brings a distinctive Mediterranean twist to these traditional cookies.
• Dietary Adaptation Hacks
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Make-Ahead and Storage Magic
• Freezer-Friendly Dough: Prepare cookie dough logs, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for fresh-tasting cookies anytime.
• Decorative Creativity
• Sprinkle Variations: Try colored sanding sugar, chopped nuts, or edible flower petals instead of traditional rainbow sprinkles. Match colors to seasonal themes or special occasions.

How to Present Italian Easter Cookies Nicely

• Festive Family Gathering: Share these delightful cookies during Easter brunch or dinner, creating warm memories around the table with loved ones.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful serving plate, mixing different shapes and adding fresh spring flowers for a stunning presentation.
• Coffee and Conversation Companion: Pair these sweet treats with espresso or cappuccino for a classic Italian-style afternoon snack that encourages relaxed chatting.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for friends and neighbors during holiday celebrations.

Saving and Serving Italian Cookies the Right Way

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container, separating each row with wax paper to prevent sticking and maintain delicate shapes.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap unglazed cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months, thawing at room temperature before adding glaze.
• Freshness Tactics: Store cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Room temperature works best, maintaining texture and preventing rapid staleness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough 2 days before baking, storing wrapped in refrigerator. Allow dough to soften slightly before shaping and baking for optimal results.

Festive Italian Easter Cookies

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Pasticcini di Pasqua, a beloved Italian Easter cookie, delights with delicate almond and citrus notes. Light, crumbly pastries showcase festive traditions from Sicily’s rich culinary heritage, promising a sweet celebration you will savor.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp lemon or orange zest
• 2 tbsps milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps milk
• ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
• Colorful sprinkles (for decoration)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack in middle, preheat to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
2. Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Creaming: Use electric mixer to blend butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and voluminous.
4. Wet Ingredients: Individually incorporate eggs, ensuring complete integration. Mix in vanilla extract, almond extract, and citrus zest until evenly distributed.
5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with milk. Create a soft, cohesive dough without overmixing.
6. Shaping: Portion dough into logs, forming elegant rings or delicate knots. Arrange on prepared sheets, spacing two inches apart.
7. Baking: Bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and tops remain pale. Cookies should appear slightly tender.
8. Cooling and Glazing: Transfer to wire rack. Once cooled, prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and extract until smooth.
9. Finishing: Dip cookie tops in glaze, allowing excess to drip. Quickly sprinkle with decorative toppings before glaze sets.
10. Storage: Let cookies rest until glaze hardens completely. Store in airtight container for optimal freshness, maintaining quality for up to five days.

Notes

• Prevent Dough Overworking: Gently fold ingredients to maintain a tender, soft texture. Overmixing develops gluten, creating dense, tough cookies.
• Control Moisture Balance: Adjust milk quantity carefully to achieve the right dough consistency. Too much liquid creates sticky dough, while too little results in dry, crumbly cookies.
• Master Baking Precision: Monitor oven temperature and baking time closely. Golden edges indicate doneness while preserving a delicate, soft cookie interior.
• Customize Flavor Profiles: Experiment with different extracts like orange, lemon, or rum to personalize the cookie’s taste. Swap almond extract for vanilla or combine multiple flavor hints for unique variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 166
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 56 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 47 mg