Name: Soft Italian Easter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 48
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cookie Ingredients:; 1/2 cup butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; 3 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 1/4 cup milk; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 tablespoon baking powder; Icing Ingredients:; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 2-3 tablespoon milk; Food coloring in desired colors

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Bite into the perfect fluffy and soft Italian Easter cookies recipe as a special treat in your own Easter basket this year. An easy sugar cookie recipe that has just enough extra hint of flavor is a perfect addition to Easter dinner and Easter baskets. If you've been afraid of making cookies, this recipe is the foolproof answer to your dessert needs.

Italian Easter Cookies

Nothing is better than a deliciously iced sugar cookie. They are a must at every holiday party, and definitely an easy addition to snack time any day of the week. For Easter, we always had little bits of soft goodness covered in a simple homemade icing. This recipe isn't exactly like the one I grew up making, but I believe is just as good and a little bit easier to manage.

Instead of rolling and cutting cookies, this drop cookie recipe is a much easier method that even the kids can help you mix up. In just a few minutes, I can have cookies in the oven baking while I whip up a little homemade icing to add with sprinkles to fit the holiday.

Do You Need Baking Powder in Cookies?

If you want your baked goods to rise and be fluffy, then the baking powder is a must! While you can also in many instances, use baking soda, I found that this one is better made with baking powder.

Baking powder causes a reaction that makes the dough expand and become fluffy. For a good cookie, you want soft and fluffy instead of dense and hard. That's why I choose it for this recipe.

How Long are Easter Cookies Good For?

Most baked goods are good for 2-3 days when left on the counter in an airtight container. If refrigerated, they are good for 5-6 days.

I also have frozen this dough before baking and left it wrapped for up to 4 months in the freezer with good results after baking. While you can freeze baked cookies, I find they dry out a bit too much.

If you decided to freeze them after baking, just sprinkle a bit of water over them as you reheat to help add some moisture. You'll also want to leave off the icing when freezing and wait to frost them once thawed.

Do I Have to Refrigerate Iced Cookies?

If using this recipe and the simple powdered sugar icing listed, you do not need to refrigerate cookies. The little bit of milk in the cookies is safe to be stored outside the refrigerator according to the FDA. So, while I would never leave out cookies iced with frosting made with cream cheese or eggs, this recipe is just fine.

Refrigerated cookies last longer in general but it is not necessary to keep them safe for eating.

Can These Be Rolled and Cut Into Shapes?

If you prefer to cut your cookies into a cute little bunny, egg, or chick shapes, you can definitely do that with this dough. While it is possible to roll them out, you will need to dust the counter with a bit of extra flour before doing so.

I also have noticed when I do cut them into shapes, they definitely don't rise as much since the dough is much thinner and not dropped as a heaping spoonful. They will still be just as delicious and soft, just perhaps not as puffy as they would otherwise.

Ingredients for Cookies

Butter
Sugar
Eggs
Almond extract
Vanilla extract
Milk
Vegetable oil
Flour
Baking powder

Ingredients for Icing

Powdered sugar
Butter
Vanilla extract
Almond extract
Milk
Food coloring
Sprinkles

How to Make Italian Easter Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, beat together sugar and butter until smooth.

Add in eggs and continue mixing until combined.

Pour in milk, oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract and continue mixing until all smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder.

Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and beat until all combined.

Scoop dough by tablespoons onto a prepared baking sheet and pop into the oven to bake for 10-12 minutes or until risen and just beginning to brown.

Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

How do You Make Frosting From Scratch

In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar with butter blending until it starts to break down into crumbly bits.

Add in vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk.

Continue mixing until a smooth icing is formed.

Divide the icing into three equal portions and place it into three bowls.

Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix it until the shade you prefer. I used yellow, pink, and lavender, but you can use any colors you prefer.

How to Decorate Easter Cookies

Once the cookies are cooled completely, spread 1-2 teaspoons icing on top of each cookie then sprinkle the tops with sprinkles.

My Favorite Kitchen Tools

These are a few tools I have in my kitchen that made making these cookies easier.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 48