If ever there was a treat that truly captured the spirit of a holiday, it would be these Italian Cookies for St. They’re the perfect marriage of old-world tradition and festive fun, adorning your St. Patrick’s Day table with a soft, cake-like texture and a vibrant green glaze that’s simply irresistible. Each bite delivers a gentle hint of almond and vanilla, topped with cheerful sprinkles. These cookies aren’t just a dessert—they’re a joyful way to say “let’s celebrate” as you gather with loved ones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a few simple staples, you can create Italian Cookies for St that are both soft and full of delicate flavor. Every ingredient plays its part, from creating that melt-in-your-mouth crumb to delivering the festive green finish that sets these cookies apart.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the backbone of your cookies, ensuring a soft, cake-like texture that holds up beautifully under glaze.
- Baking Powder: Gives these cookies their signature lift, helping them puff up just right.
- Salt: A small amount brings forward all the other flavors without overpowering the sweetness.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds the perfect level of sweetness and helps the cookies brown ever so slightly.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Essential for a tender crumb and rich flavor—be sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
- Large Eggs: These bind everything together and contribute to the delicate, almost cake-like texture.
- Milk: Keeps the dough soft and ensures the cookies aren’t dry.
- Vanilla Extract: Gives a warm aromatic background to both the dough and the glaze.
- Almond Extract: A delightful twist on tradition—if you adore marzipan, don’t skip this!
- Powdered Sugar: The secret to a glossy, sweet glaze that sets to a pretty sheen.
- More Milk (for glaze): Brings the glaze to perfect dipping consistency.
- Green Food Coloring: Instantly transforms your cookies into a St. Patrick’s Day showstopper.
- Green and White Sprinkles: For that festive, can’t-help-but-smile finish!
How to Make Italian Cookies for St
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper—this not only prevents sticking but also makes cleanup a breeze. Get your oven rack centered for even baking. Simple setup, but it’s important for picture-perfect cookies!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures your leavening is distributed evenly, so that every cookie emerges light, soft, and gently puffed.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Don’t rush—this is where magic happens, creating that melt-in-your-mouth crumb you love in Italian Cookies for St.
Step 4: Incorporate Eggs and Flavorings
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. This ensures the dough is silky, aromatic, and evenly seasoned—each bite will be subtly sweet and full of flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed, just until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Over-mixing would toughen your cookies, so keep it gentle for that delightfully tender crumb.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Scoop out heaping tablespoon-sized portions of dough, rolling each into a ball with your hands. Arrange them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets—leaving space gives room for the cookies to puff perfectly. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the bottoms are barely golden and the tops stay pale. The result is a cookie that’s soft, never dry, and ready to soak up glaze.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Transfer the cookies to wire racks and let them cool completely. This prevents the glaze from melting and running off. It’s worth the wait—your patience will be rewarded!
Step 8: Glaze and Decorate
For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a few drops of green food coloring until smooth and glossy. Dip the tops of each cooled cookie into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then immediately garnish with a scattering of green and white sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set until fully dry before serving or storing.
How to Serve Italian Cookies for St
Garnishes
Finish each cookie with green and white sprinkles, or go for some gold sugar pearls for an extra nod to St. Patrick’s Day magic. A light dusting of edible glitter can make your Italian Cookies for St absolutely sparkle on your dessert table!
Side Dishes
These soft, festive cookies pair beautifully with a cup of espresso, Irish coffee, or even a simple glass of cold milk. For a party, serve them alongside fresh fruit or other Italian sweets to round out a colorful dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling your Italian Cookies for St high on a tiered cake stand, layering them with parchment for a bakery look, or packaging them in clear bags tied with green ribbon for holiday gifts. They’re also perfect arranged in a shamrock formation for that extra wow factor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the glaze is completely set, keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Place wax or parchment paper between layers to keep them looking and tasting their best. They’ll stay soft, tender, and ready to enjoy long after the celebration.
Freezing
Italian Cookies for St freeze beautifully. Arrange the cooled, unglazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to zip-top bags. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and glaze fresh for best results—just like magic, they’ll taste freshly baked!
Reheating
If you’d like your cookies just slightly warm, pop them (unglazed) in a 275°F oven for a few minutes to refresh the texture. Glazed cookies shouldn’t be reheated, as the glaze may melt. Serve at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I make Italian Cookies for St gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a good-quality one-to-one gluten-free flour blend. The cookies will still be soft and flavorful, but keep in mind they may spread a little less during baking.
Do I have to use green food coloring?
Nope! The green glaze is just for the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. You can leave it white for a more classic Italian cookie, or change the color to suit any holiday or party theme.
Can I freeze glazed cookies?
You can, but the glaze may become a bit sticky after thawing. For the best look and texture, freeze the cookies before glazing, then dip and decorate fresh after thawing.
Is there a substitute for almond extract?
Yes! Try swapping in lemon or anise extract for a fun variation. Each brings a unique twist to the flavor profile, keeping your Italian Cookies for St interesting batch after batch.
Why did my cookies turn out dry?
This can happen if the cookies are over-baked or if there’s too much flour in the dough. Always measure your flour carefully and bake just until the bottoms are light golden—the tops should remain pale and soft.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about gathering loved ones and sharing Italian Cookies for St at a holiday celebration. Their tender bite, festive flair, and homemade charm are sure to make them a new tradition. Give them a try this St. Patrick’s Day—who knows, you might find yourself baking them for every festive occasion!
Print
Italian Cookies for St Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these delightful Italian Cookies, perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday spread. These soft, cake-like cookies are glazed in green and adorned with sprinkles, making them a cheerful treat for the occasion.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- Green and white sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in milk, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
- Combine and bake: Gradually add the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions, roll into balls, and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Prepare glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and green food coloring until smooth.
- Glaze cookies: Dip cooled cookies into the glaze and top with sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- These cookies stay soft and cake-like, perfect for the holiday season.
- Experiment with different extracts like lemon or anise for variety.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
