Italian Butter Cookies are an absolute classic, loved for their melt-in-your-mouth texture, delicate crumb, and decadent buttery flavor. Whether it’s the sparkle of rainbow sprinkles, the sweetness of maraschino cherries, or a glossy dip in chocolate, these cookies never fail to charm at holiday tables, special occasions, or a simple afternoon treat. Their bakery-style beauty, irresistible taste, and delightful versatility are the reason these cookies remain a cherished staple in Italian-American homes and hearts everywhere.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of simple ingredients is all it takes to whip up a batch of show-stopping Italian Butter Cookies. Each one plays its part in creating the signature tenderness, flavor, and golden hue that make these cookies such a crowd-pleaser.
- Unsalted butter: The hero ingredient, providing richness, moisture, and the signature melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Powdered sugar: Helps create an especially soft, tender crumb and blends smoothly into the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a touch of structure and a gentle crisp edge.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and gives that slight chew for perfect bakery-style cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Provides warm, fragrant notes for classic flavor.
- Almond extract (optional): For those who crave a bit of traditional nutty aroma; it’s subtle but beautifully authentic.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives the cookies their shape and crumb.
- Salt: Just a pinch really wakes up all the other flavors!
- Sprinkles or maraschino cherries (optional): For that adorable bakery look and a pop of color or sweetness.
- Melted chocolate for dipping (optional): It’s hard to resist a butter cookie with one half cloaked in luscious chocolate.
How to Make Italian Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This little bit of prep ensures your Italian Butter Cookies will bake evenly and lift off the tray without sticking or breaking. Plus, cleanup becomes a total breeze!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Place the softened butter in a large bowl, then add both powdered sugar and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon, cream everything together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and almost aerated—this takes about 2–3 minutes. This step infuses the cookie dough with air, creating that dreamy, delicate texture we all love in Italian Butter Cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts
Crack in the large egg, drizzle in the vanilla extract, and add the almond extract if you’re using it. Beat until everything is just combined and the dough is smooth and creamy. The extracts fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas, hinting at the magic that’s about to happen in the oven!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, quickly whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt for even distribution. Then, gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, blending until the dough just comes together—don’t overmix. The dough should be thick, yet soft enough to pipe for those signature bakery shapes.
Step 5: Pipe and Decorate
Transfer the dough to a sturdy piping bag fitted with a large open star tip (this creates that irresistible bakery swirl). Pipe 2–3 inch strips or pretty rosettes onto your prepared baking sheets, keeping about 2 inches of space between each cookie. If you’re feeling festive, top with sprinkles or gently press a maraschino cherry half into the center of each rosette—this is where you can truly make your Italian Butter Cookies shine with personality!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just start turning a warm, delicate golden color. Keep a close eye—these beauties can go from perfect to overdone fast. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Step 7: Add the Final Touch
If you desire, melt some chocolate and dip half of each cooled cookie for bakery-style elegance. Let the chocolate set before serving. You can even sandwich two cookies with a bit of jam or Nutella for a decadent twist—this step elevates your Italian Butter Cookies from classic to unforgettable!
How to Serve Italian Butter Cookies
Garnishes
Garnishing is where you can have a little fun and infuse some personality into your cookies! A dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of chocolate, rainbow nonpareils, or even a glossy maraschino cherry bring that irresistible bakery magic to your homemade Italian Butter Cookies. Presentation matters almost as much as taste for these stunners.
Side Dishes
Serve your cookies with classic accompaniments: a shot of strong espresso, a creamy cappuccino, or a cup of hot tea are lovely choices that perfectly complement the buttery richness. For kids, a glass of cold milk is a timeless pairing that’s as comforting as the cookies themselves!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, arrange your Italian Butter Cookies stacked on a tiered cake stand, tucked into pretty cellophane bags tied with ribbons for gifting, or piled high on a vintage platter at the center of your holiday table. For an extra flourish, add a small bowl of melted chocolate or fruit preserves on the side for dipping and sandwiching on demand—your guests will love it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Italian Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and tender for up to a week. If you’ve added chocolate, just make sure each cookie is completely set before stacking, and consider placing parchment between the layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing
One of the best things about Italian Butter Cookies is how beautifully they freeze. Simply let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer. Once solid, transfer to a zipper bag or freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They’ll last up to three months, making them a perfect option for holiday baking ahead of time.
Reheating
Italian Butter Cookies are delightful right out of the freezer. However, if you’d like to freshen them up, just let thaw at room temperature or pop them in a 275°F oven for about 3–4 minutes. This slight warming brings back their just-baked aroma and revives their tenderness—you’d never know they were frozen!
FAQs
Do I have to use a piping bag and star tip?
The classic look does come from using a star tip, but if you don’t have one, you can mound small spoonfuls or roll the dough into balls and flatten slightly. The cookies will still taste divine, though the texture and shape will be slightly different from traditional Italian Butter Cookies.
Why did my dough come out too stiff to pipe?
If your dough feels too stiff, give it a little time at room temperature to soften, or knead it gently with your hands. Sometimes a touch more softening in the butter is all it needs. Avoid adding any extra liquid, as this can affect the structure of your Italian Butter Cookies.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the dough a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Let it soften before piping, since chilled dough will be too firm to work with. This also allows the flavors to deepen—another bonus for the patient baker.
What’s the best way to dip in chocolate?
Melt high-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate, then dip half of each cooled cookie and let excess chocolate drip off. Place on parchment and let set. You can even add sprinkles to the chocolate before it sets for bakery-style Italian Butter Cookies that beg to be devoured!
Can I sandwich these cookies with jam?
Yes, and it’s a superb idea! Once the cookies are cool, spread a thin layer of your favorite jam or chocolate hazelnut spread between two cookies and gently press them together. This classic bakery-style method takes Italian Butter Cookies to the next level of indulgence.
Final Thoughts
You simply can’t go wrong with a tray of fresh Italian Butter Cookies—they’re the kind of treat that brings smiles and sweet nostalgia with every bite. Whether you keep them simple or dress them up, these cookies promise pure homemade joy. Give them a try and let your kitchen fill with warmth, irresistible aroma, and plenty of happy memories to share.
Print
Italian Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Italian butter cookies are a delightful treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are rich, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. With a hint of vanilla and almond flavors, these cookies are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Enjoy them plain, or dress them up with sprinkles, cherries, or a dip in chocolate!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- sprinkles or maraschino cherries for decorating (optional)
- melted chocolate for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream the butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
- Mix in dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until the dough comes together.
- Pipe the dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe strips or rosettes onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Decorate and bake: Decorate with sprinkles or cherries if desired. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and serve: Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Optionally, dip in melted chocolate and let set before serving.
Notes
- Use a sturdy piping bag and large star tip for best results.
- These cookies freeze well and are great for holiday trays.
- For a twist, try sandwiching two cookies with jam or chocolate.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
