Description
These Italian cookies are a delightful treat perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Soft and tender with a subtle almond flavor and a festive touch of green sprinkles, they’re simple to make and sure to impress at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- Green sprinkles or green colored sugar, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure even incorporation, then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts for warm, aromatic, and nutty flavor notes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until fully combined and forming a manageable dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls approximately 1 inch in diameter and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten and Decorate: Slightly flatten each dough ball with the back of a spoon, then generously sprinkle with green sugar or sprinkles for a festive St. Patrick’s Day appearance.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden color, indicating they are done.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving, allowing them to set and develop their soft texture.
Notes
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- Do not overbake; the cookies should be soft and slightly pale, with lightly golden edges.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- For a stronger almond flavor, you can increase the almond extract by a small amount, but do so cautiously as it can be overpowering.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies can be frozen before or after baking; thaw to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1.2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
