There’s a good reason why Italian S Cookies are such a popular recipe in Italy! These simple but delicious Italian cookies are ideal dunked in a coffee for breakfast or enjoyed on their own as part of a cookie platter or afternoon tea.
So it’s time to preheat the oven - you’re going to want to bake my easy Italian S Cookies! It takes less than 30 minutes!
My S Cookie recipe uses regular pantry ingredients that I’m sure you’ll have on hand. But these cookies don’t taste boring! Like my Lemon Yogurt cake, they are loaded with fragrant lemon, and delicious vanilla and sweetened with just the right amount of sugar.
Some say that the S in Italian S Cookies or biscotti esse (as they are known in Italy) stands for Sicily, where they originated. But, it could also stand for the scrumptious, sweet, satisfying or seriously crispy cookie that they are!
I know that you’ll love that these tasty cookies are considered breakfast food in Italy! All you need is a warm mug of milky coffee, a fresh batch of my Italian S Cookies and you’ll be transported to an Italian breakfast table. Just like my Lemon Biscotti or Almond Biscotti, these cookies are so dunkable - you won’t be able to stop at one!
Why you’ll love this recipe:-
- They are the perfect Italian breakfast cookies to dunk into your morning coffee.
- This recipe is so simple and includes only basic ingredients (that you probably already have on hand).
- You don’t need any fancy mixers or equipment to make these cookies.
- These cookies are a guaranteed crowd pleaser amongst kids and adults.
For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card bottom of the page.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- All purpose flour - regular plain flour is required for this recipe.
- Sugar - I recommend granulated sugar (also known as castor sugar or superfine)
- Butter - Unsalted butter is best for this recipe, but if you only have salted butter, feel free to use it (just don’t add the additional salt). Traditionally lard was used instead of butter, so you can easily substitute it if you like.
- Eggs - Large, free range eggs are always my preference for baking.
- Vanilla extract - Good quality vanilla extract is best for this recipe. Be careful not to use vanilla essence, a synthetic and lower quality vanilla flavor.
- Lemon zest - Just the zest of a lemon is needed to flavor the dough. When you are zesting the lemon, take care not to grate the bitter white pith.
- Salt - Regular fine salt is required for this recipe.
Instructions
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC.
- Rub the flour and butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Make a well in the middle and add the eggs, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, lemon zest salt.
- Use a fork to beat the eggs and gradually bring in and incorporate the flour mixture. Use your hand to bring the dough together and form a ball.
- Roll small portions of the dough into a thin log and shape it into an “S”.
Place on lined baking sheets and bake until golden brown.
Substitutions
- You can easily substitute lard for the butter.
- If you only have salted butter, you can use it instead, but be sure not to add the additional salt.
- Instead of lemon zest, you can use a few drops of food grade lemon oil or lemon extract.
Variations
- Makes these Italian S Cookies orange flavored, by using orange zest instead of lemon zest.
- You could make these spiced S Cookies by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or a few drops of almond extract.
- Try dipping one end of the cooled cookies into melted dark chocolate for a traditional finish.
- Give these cookies a shiny finish by brushing them with an egg wash before baking.
Storage
These Italian S Cookies will keep well in an airtight container for 3-5 days. If you’d like to make them in advance, you can freeze the baked and cooled cookies in an airtight container, with parchment paper in between to keep the layers from sticking.
When you are ready to enjoy them, remove the container from the freezer and let it come down to room temperature. Alternatively, you could pop the cookies into a hot oven for a few minutes to refresh them.
Top Tips and FAQs
I recommend using cold butter when you are mixing the butter into the flour. You want the consistency of wet sand, not dough. To achieve this, use your just fingertips; your warm palms will melt the butter. You could use an electric mixer and pastry blender if you have particularly hot hands.
Please be sure not to over knead the cookie dough as it will become tough.
If you live in a particularly hot climate, you might need to pop the dough into the refrigerator for a short time so that it doesn’t become sticky. If the dough is particularly sticky add a little extra flour to bring it to the correct consistency.
These cookies are simple and delicious Sicilian cookies that are now found all over Italy. The name S Cookies (or biscotti esse - as they are known in Italian) comes from their classic S shape. They are most commonly enjoyed for breakfast with milky coffee or strong espresso.
You won’t find bacon and eggs (or almost any savory foods) in Italian homes for breakfast. Instead, it is quite a light meal, featuring homemade simple cakes and cookies or pastries purchased from the local pastry shop. These are always accompanied by a large mug of warm milk or cappuccino to dunk a piece of cake, cookies or pastries into.
I know what you’re thinking - cookies for breakfast?! But homemade, quality cookies are not all that bad for you. Especially this recipe which features only good wholesome ingredients and no preservatives or artificial colorings.
Traditionally, Italian cookies are more dry, crispy and crunchy than a classic chewy cookie because they are designed to withstand a dunking! My recipe is the perfect example of a classic Italian cookie that is made to be dunked in a warm drink or sweet wine.
Serving
Typically Italian S Cookies are breakfast cookies that are excellent served with a coffee alongside my Nutella Bread for Spanish Almond Cake. Otherwise, you could serve them on a Christmas cookie platter with my Italian Sesame Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies or Lemon Biscotti.
Made this recipe?
Let me know if you liked it by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating and a comment below. Please share a photo of your creation by tagging me on Instagram @marcellina.in.cucina!
Italian S Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour 375 grams
- 4 ounces cold unsalted butter 1 stick/115 grams (cut into small pieces)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Grated zest of one lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC.
- Cut the butter into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and butter. Rub the flour and butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Make a well in the middle and add the eggs, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, lemon zest salt.
- Use a fork to whisk together the eggs and gradually bring in and incorporate the other ingredients and the flour mixture.
- When it becomes too hard to use a fork, use your hands to gently press and knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough. Form into a ball.
- Cut the dough ball into quarters then divide the quarters in half. You will have 8 even portions.
- Take one portion and roll it into a 6 inch (15 cm) long log. Cut the log into 6 even pieces.
- Roll each piece into 4 inch (10 cm) long sticks and form the shape of an “S”.
- Transfer the cookies to a prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use cold butter and just the tips of your fingers when combining the butter into the flour.
- Please be sure not to over knead the cookie dough.
- If your kitchen is warm, the dough may be sticky. In this case, pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes to cool.
- If still too sticky, add a little flour.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Michele
My Sicilian nonna would make the S cookies. I loved helping her make them. Want to make these!
grazie
Michele
pauline
What fun to have S cookies Marcellina. I don't tend to eat sweet things for breakfast, but these would be perfect for me later in the day. Although in Lisbon and Rome I remember eating something sweet with our morning coffee for brekkie. Looks like a great recipe.
Marcellina
Yes, Pauline, these are also perfect for a little snack during the day!
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
You're bringing my back to my childhood, Marcellina! My grandmother Angelina used to make these cookies, only she formed some into rings and others into S's. Either way, though I loved them, especially as you point out, with my morning coffee. In fact, I wish I had some right now...
Marcellina
S Cookies were a huge part of my childhood too, Frank! I just love them!