Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these delightful Italian Cookies. Soft and buttery with hints of vanilla and almond, these cookies are topped with a festive green glaze and sprinkles, making them perfect for the holiday. Easy to prepare and sure to impress, these traditional treats bring a lovely touch of Italian flavor and Irish cheer to your celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Almond Extract
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk
Glaze and Decoration
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1-2 tbsp Milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
- Green Food Coloring (for St. Patrick’s Day theme)
- Green Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix the dough.
- Shape Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form dough into walnut-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat, spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Flatten Dough: Slightly flatten each ball of dough with the back of a spoon or your fingers to help them bake evenly and hold shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Cool Cookies: Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk, almond extract, and a few drops of green food coloring. Adjust milk quantity to get a smooth, spreadable glaze.
- Decorate Cookies: Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread or drizzle the green glaze on top of each cookie.
- Add Sprinkles: While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle green sprinkles over the cookies for festive decoration. Allow glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- You can adjust the green food coloring intensity to your preference for a more vibrant or subtle effect.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a nut-free version, substitute almond extract with vanilla extract only.
- If the glaze is too thick, add milk a few drops at a time; if too thin, add more powdered sugar to thicken.
