If you’re on the hunt for a treat that’s both festive and irresistibly delicious, these Italian Cookies for St will instantly brighten your celebration. Imagine sweet, soft morsels—infused with hints of vanilla and almond, nestled under a delicate glaze, and dressed up in green for St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you’re planning a party, bringing snacks to work, or simply want to surprise your loved ones, these cookies capture the spirit of Italian-American baking and the luck of the Irish in every bite. These Italian Cookies for St might just become your new holiday tradition!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll love how straightforward these ingredients are—each one brings its own special magic, whether it’s the creamy richness of butter or the almond extract’s subtle sweetness. Every scoop and pinch contributes to the irresistibly soft texture and cheerful, festive look of Italian Cookies for St.
- Butter (unsalted, softened): Gives the cookies their signature tender crumb and beautiful flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with the cookies’ golden finish.
- Eggs: Add structure and richness, ensuring bakery-quality results every time.
- Vanilla extract: A dash elevates the overall aroma and classic cookie flavor.
- Almond extract: Offers a gentle, nutty note that makes these Italian Cookies for St stand out.
- All-purpose flour: This creates the sturdy yet soft texture that makes each bite melt in your mouth.
- Baking powder: Lends the perfect lift, resulting in light and fluffy cookies.
- Salt: Just a pinch, balancing out sweetness and enhancing every flavor.
- Milk: Adds moisture and brings the dough together for easy shaping.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Creates a smooth, glossy topping.
- Milk (for glaze): Blends with powdered sugar for an easy, spreadable icing.
- Vanilla or almond extract (for glaze): Mirrors the flavors inside, tying it all together.
- Green sprinkles or food coloring: Make your Italian Cookies for St festive for the holiday with a burst of color!
How to Make Italian Cookies for St
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this ensures your cookies bake evenly and makes cleanup a snap. Having everything ready to go sets you up for stress-free baking and helps your Italian Cookies for St develop that perfect golden bottom.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is all about incorporating air, resulting in cookies with melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Take your time—about 2 to 3 minutes—until you see the color lighten and the texture turn creamy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, watching as the dough takes on a rich aroma. The almond adds that classic Italian Cookies for St warmth, while vanilla rounds out the flavor profile beautifully.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed and helps avoid lumps—key for that irresistibly smooth dough.
Step 5: Bring Dough Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with splashes of milk. Continue stirring until a soft, slightly sticky dough comes together. If it feels a bit too stiff, add an extra tablespoon of milk; if it’s sticky, sprinkle in just a touch more flour. It should be pliable and easy to roll.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls with your hands. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one for perfect baking. Pop them into the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just turning golden. Once baked, let your Italian Cookies for St cool completely on a wire rack—this helps the glaze set just right later on.
Step 7: Make the Glaze and Decorate
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and your choice of extract until the glaze is smooth and glossy. Add a few drops of green food coloring for that St. Patrick’s Day flair, if desired. Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, then set them on a rack or parchment. Sprinkle with green decorations right away so they stick perfectly. Let the glaze set before serving—and admire your beautiful batch of Italian Cookies for St!
How to Serve Italian Cookies for St
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of green sanding sugar or festive shamrock-shaped sprinkles makes these cookies holiday-ready. For extra shine, you can even dust with edible glitter. These little touches make your Italian Cookies for St stand out at any gathering!
Side Dishes
Italian Cookies for St are delightful on their own, but for the ultimate treat tray, pair them with a cup of hot tea, a robust coffee, or even a sweet liqueur. They also contrast beautifully with fresh fruit or a scoop of gelato if you want to make dessert extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Throw your Italian Cookies for St onto a festive platter lined with green napkins, or tuck them into gift boxes tied up with golden ribbons. Stack and wrap in cellophane for adorable classroom treats, or arrange around a centerpiece of fresh shamrocks for a showstopping dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and glazed, store your Italian Cookies for St in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for about five days—just keep them away from direct sunlight and sources of heat, which can melt the glaze or dry them out.
Freezing
You can easily freeze these cookies for longer storage. Lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer until the glaze is solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy, just bring a few to room temperature and they’ll taste as good as fresh!
Reheating
While these cookies are best at room temp, if you love a slightly warm treat, pop them into a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes. This will soften them up without melting the glaze, reviving that freshly-baked charm.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! Italian Cookies for St can be prepped a day or two in advance. In fact, the flavors often deepen after a day, and the texture stays soft and tender. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container to keep them at their best.
Do I have to use almond extract?
No worries if almond isn’t your thing—you can swap it for a little extra vanilla, or even lemon or orange zest for a zesty twist. The almond does give it that classic Italian flair, but these cookies are all about making you happy.
Can I use different colors for other holidays?
Definitely! While green is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, you can use red and green for Christmas, pastel sprinkles for Easter, or any colors to match your party. Italian Cookies for St are wonderfully versatile, so make them your own.
What’s the secret to super soft cookies?
The trick is not to overbake. Pull the cookies out when the bottoms are just turning golden, and allow them to finish setting as they cool. Creaming the butter and sugar until fluffy also helps create that irresistible texture.
Are these cookies kid-friendly?
Absolutely! Italian Cookies for St are simple to make, fun to decorate, and the recipe contains no nuts (despite the almond extract). Kids love dunking the cookies in glaze and showering them with festive sprinkles, so invite them to help in the kitchen.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re baking for a crowd or simply looking for a cheerful treat, these Italian Cookies for St are sure to put a smile on every face. Give them a try, share them with friends, and watch your new tradition bloom—there’s something magical about a recipe that brings everyone together!
Print
Italian Cookies for St Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these delightful Italian Cookies. These almond-flavored treats are perfect for adding a touch of green with a festive glaze and sprinkles.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- green sprinkles or green food coloring (optional for St. Patrick’s Day)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Form cookie dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk until a soft dough forms. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls.
- Bake: Place the dough balls on the baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- Make glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and extract. Add green food coloring if desired.
- Glaze cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze and decorate with sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- These cookies can be flavored with lemon or orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Perfect for festive platters or classroom treats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
