Italian Cookies

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These Italian Cookies are mild, tender, and delicious almond flavored cookies, coated with icing, and are easily customized to suit any occasion or holiday!

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Cooling1

Total Time1 30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Italian Cookies, Italian Wedding Cookies

Servings: cookies

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

3 cups all-purpose flour , spooned and leveled
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract

For the Icing

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons whole milk
1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in eggs and almond extract. Gradually add in the flour mixture until combined.
Using a cookie scoop, shape dough into 1 1/2-inch sized balls. Place on baking sheets at least 1-inch apart (do not flatten.)
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are just slightly golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
For the Icing: in a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, almond extract, and salt until smooth (add more powdered sugar if it's too thin or more milk if it's too thick. It should be thick, but drizzling consistency.)
Dip the tops of cookies in the icing; allow excess to drip off. Place back on the parchment paper and top with the sprinkles; let stand until completely set and enjoy!

Notes

Why use shortening? I've seen these cookies made with oil, butter, or shortening. I make my pie crust with shortening, so that's what I choose to use in these cookies. It results in a very tender crumb. I have not tested this particular recipe with oil or butter.

Use a different flavor extract. My family prefers almond extract in place of traditional anise, since we don't like the taste of black licorice. But you can use anise. You could use vanilla, lemon, or orange flavored extract, depending on your taste.

Optional add-ins. Add to the dough a 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips OR 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds. Not both or the dough might be too crumbly.

Change the color of the icing. Add colored food dye to the icing to suit your occasion.

Try nonpareils or sanding sugar. You can top the icing with nonpareils or sanding sugar instead of sprinkles, and change up the colors to match your holiday.

Nutrition