Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these delightful Italian cookies featuring a soft, tender dough enhanced with almond extract and topped with a festive green glaze. Perfect for holiday parties or gifting, these cookies combine classic flavors with a fun seasonal twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Green food coloring
- Green sprinkles (optional)
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 even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs and extracts: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts for flavor.
- Combine flour mixture and milk: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with 2–3 tablespoons of milk, until a soft dough forms. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Form cookie dough balls: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop heaping teaspoons of dough and roll them into small balls. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart to allow space for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden while the tops remain pale. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth. Add a few drops of green food coloring until you achieve the desired shade.
- Glaze the cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the green glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Sprinkle green sprinkles on top if desired to enhance festive appearance. Let the glaze set fully before serving.
Notes
- For a festive touch, shape the dough into small shamrocks before baking.
- Alternatively, tint the dough itself a light green with food coloring for a colorful variation.
- These cookies freeze well, making them a great make-ahead option for parties or gifts.
- Ensure the cookies are completely cool before glazing to prevent melting.
