Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these delightful Italian cookies featuring a soft, buttery dough glazed with a sweet vanilla-almond icing. Perfectly tender with a subtle almond flavor and a festive green glaze, these cookies make a charming addition to holiday platters or a sweet treat for classroom celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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 and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which creates a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add eggs and extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the dough with flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Stir until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden, indicating the cookies are cooked through but still soft.
- Cool cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and your choice of vanilla or almond extract until smooth and slightly thickened. Add green food coloring if desired for a festive touch.
- Glaze the cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, then place them back on a wire rack or parchment paper to set. If using, immediately decorate with green sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.
- Set and serve: Allow the glaze to fully set before serving for a beautiful, sweet finish on the cookies.
Notes
- For a citrus twist, add lemon or orange zest to the dough for added brightness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- These cookies are ideal for festive St. Patrick’s Day platters or classroom treats that kids and adults will enjoy alike.
