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–+ servings
decorated spritz cookies on white plate with two little dishes of cake sprinkles
5 from 9 votes

Italian Butter Cookie Recipe

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These Italian Butter Cookies as just as delicious as they are easy. One big recipe make lots of cookies. And by using different cake sprinkles you can create many different Christmas Spritz cookies!
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time11 mins
Total Time41 mins
Servings: 50 cookies
Author: Marcellina

Ingredients

  • 1 cups (2 sticks/8oz/227 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
  • ⅔ cup powdered (icing) sugar (sieved)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • 2½ cups plain flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 320ºF/160ºC and line two or three baking sheets with non stick parchment paper.
  • In a stand mixer, hand mixer or even by hand thoroughly mix the butter and sugar.
  • Add the egg, vanilla and almond extract. Beat well.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • With the mixer on low, combine flour mixture into the butter mixture until the dough is smooth and completely mixed.
  • If using a cookie press, chill the dough for 30 minutes.
  • Spoon the dough in the cookie press which has been fitted with the desired cookie plate. (check manufacturers instructions). OR spoon the dough into an extra large, heavy duty piping bag fitted with a large open star tip.
  • Press or pipe out cookies onto lined baking tray.
  • Decorate as desired.
  • Bake in preheated oven 10-11 minutes. The cookies should be a pale golden color.
  • Cool for a minute or two on the baking tray before moving to a cooling rack.

Notes

  • This mixture does not need to be chilled if using a piping bag and an open star tip. Please chill if using a cookie press.
  • If you find the mixture is too moist, add one or two tablespoons of flour.
  • When using a cookie press, sometimes the mixture gets stuck. Simply use a small knife or your fingers, to release the cookies and place it on the baking tray.
Ideas for decorating Italian Butter cookies 
  • colored icing
  • cake sprinkles of all different colors and shapes
  • colored sugar
  • nuts - whole or pieces
  • chocolate chips
  • melted chocolate
  • candied fruit such as cherries
  • powdered (icing) sugar

Nutrition

Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg