Italian Butter Cookies are a timeless treat, known for their delicate, buttery texture and melt-in-your-mouth goodness. These classic cookies are often found in Italian bakeries, but with this recipe, you can recreate them at home and enjoy their delightful flavor anytime.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
-
Perfect balance of crisp and tender texture
-
Easy to decorate and customize
-
Ideal for gifting or serving at gatherings
-
Brings authentic bakery flavor to your kitchen
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
Unsalted butter
-
Confectioners sugar
-
Large egg yolks
-
Vanilla extract
-
All-purpose flour
-
Baking powder
-
Fine sea salt
-
Melted chocolate (optional, for dipping)
-
Coconut oil or shortening (optional, for chocolate)
-
Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Beat unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add sifted confectioners sugar and continue mixing until smooth.
-
Add egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each, followed by vanilla extract.
-
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
-
Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. Pipe 2-inch sections onto the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
-
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
-
Optional: Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate, add sprinkles, and let chocolate harden before serving.
Servings and Timing
-
Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
-
Prep Time: 15 minutes
-
Cook Time: 13–15 minutes
-
Cooling Time: 1 hour
-
Total Time: Around 1 hour 45 minutes
Variations
-
Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder for chocolate cookies
-
Use a cookie press instead of a piping bag
-
Press a cherry or chocolate chip into the center before baking
-
Add citrus zest to the dough for a fresh twist
Storage/Reheating
-
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week
-
Refrigerate cookies with perishable fillings
-
Freeze plain or decorated cookies for up to 3 months
-
Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving
FAQs
How do I ensure my butter cookies have the right texture?
Use room-temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, just omit the added salt to maintain balance.
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
You can use a cookie press or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
How do I stop cookies from spreading too much?
Slightly chill the dough before baking to help hold the shape.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate it for up to 3 days and bring it to room temperature before piping.
What kind of chocolate is best for dipping?
Dark or semi-sweet chocolate provides a rich contrast to the buttery cookie.
Can I add flavor variations?
Yes, try adding citrus zest or almond extract for a different flavor.
How do I keep the cookies fresh?
Store them in a sealed container, and refrigerate if using fillings like jam or ganache.
Can these cookies be frozen?
Absolutely. Layer them between parchment in a container and freeze.
How should I thaw frozen cookies?
Let them sit at room temperature until fully thawed, about 30 minutes.
Conclusion
Italian Butter Cookies are the perfect blend of tradition, taste, and elegance. Whether you’re baking them for a celebration, gifting them to loved ones, or simply indulging in a sweet treat at home, these cookies deliver delightful flavor and timeless charm. With their buttery base and versatile decorating options, they’re sure to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.
Italian Butter Cookies
- Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Italian Butter Cookies are classic bakery-style treats known for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich buttery flavor. Perfect for holidays, parties, or afternoon tea, these cookies are easy to make at home with simple ingredients. Dip in chocolate and decorate with sprinkles for an extra festive touch! Keywords: Italian Butter Cookies, buttery cookies, homemade Italian cookies, bakery-style cookies, holiday cookies.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
Unsalted butter
Confectioners sugar
Large egg yolks
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Fine sea salt
Optional: Melted chocolate
Optional: Coconut oil or shortening
Optional: Sprinkles
Instructions
Instructions:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Beat unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add sifted confectioners sugar and mix until smooth.
-
Add egg yolks one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
-
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients until just combined.
-
Transfer dough to a piping bag with a large open star tip. Pipe 2-inch sections onto the baking sheet.
-
Bake for 13–15 minutes, until lightly golden.
-
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
-
Optional: Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate, decorate with sprinkles, and allow to harden.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients for best results.
- Slightly chill the dough before piping if it's too soft.
- You can substitute a cookie press or zip-top bag for the piping bag.
- For variation, add citrus zest or almond extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
