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Italian Butter Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 87 reviews

These Italian Butter Cookies are a classic, tender, and buttery treat perfect for any occasion. Made with simple, high-quality ingredients like unsalted butter, vanilla, and almond extracts, these cookies can be customized with various decorating options including candied cherries, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and more. The dough is easy to prepare and yields crisp yet melt-in-your-mouth cookies that can also be sandwiched with Nutella or raspberry jam for extra indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (2 sticks/8oz/226 grams) unsalted butter
  • ⅔ cup (130 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 egg yolks at cool room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 2¼ cups (280 grams) all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch fine salt
  • Gel food coloring (optional, for coloring dough)

Decorating Options

  • Candied cherries
  • Powdered sugar
  • Chocolate and chocolate chips
  • Colored sprinkles
  • Chopped nuts
  • Desiccated or shredded coconut
  • Nutella or raspberry jam (for filling cookie sandwiches)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Measure all ingredients accurately, preferably by weight, to ensure the best results. Use good quality unsalted butter and flour. Make sure egg yolks are at cool room temperature for easier blending.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is creamy and smooth but avoid overbeating to prevent excess air incorporation which flattens cookies.
  3. Add Egg Yolks and Flavors: Mix in the 2 egg yolks followed by vanilla extract and optional almond extract until well combined. If you want colored dough, fold in gel food coloring at this point.
  4. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently just until all ingredients are incorporated to form a smooth dough. Do not overmix.
  6. Shape and Decorate Cookies: Shape the dough accordingly—roll out and cut into desired shapes or use other shaping techniques. Decorate with preferred options such as candied cherries, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or nuts as desired.
  7. Chill Dough (optional): Depending on your preferred method, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour to firm it up and help cookies hold shape during baking.
  8. Bake Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
  9. Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. If making cookie sandwiches, spread Nutella or raspberry jam between two cookies once cooled.

Notes

  • Use precise measurements, ideally weighing flour to avoid dense or crumbly cookies.
  • High-quality unsalted butter enhances the flavor and texture.
  • Avoid overbeating the butter, sugar, and eggs mixture to prevent cookie spreading.
  • Climate can affect flour moisture absorption; adjust accordingly.
  • Chilling dough can help maintain shape but is optional.
  • Customize decorations based on personal preference and occasion.

Keywords: Italian butter cookies, classic cookies, butter cookie recipe, easy cookie dessert, Italian dessert cookies, cookie sandwich, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/italian-butter-cookies-recipe/