Description
These Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies are a true classic of Italian baking. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and the delicate combination of butter, vanilla, and almond, they’re perfect for any festive occasion, especially during the holiday season. The addition of lemon zest adds a fresh, zesty touch that perfectly balances the sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- Buttery Italian Spritz Cookies
- Classic Italian Spritz Biscuits with a Touch of Almond
- Ingredients:
- 250g all-purpose flour
- 150g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- A pinch of salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest, mixing well until combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a cookie press or piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Pipe the dough into traditional “S” shapes or any desired form onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- If you don’t have a cookie press, you can easily pipe the dough using a piping bag with a star tip or even roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly before baking.
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature to ensure it creams properly with the sugar.
- You can experiment with other flavors like orange zest or a dash of cinnamon to vary the taste, while still keeping the buttery texture.
- These cookies freeze well, so if you want to bake them ahead of time, simply store them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag after they’ve cooled, and they will last up to a month in the freezer.
- If you like a more decadent touch, drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate or dip them in chocolate after they’ve cooled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 120 kcal per cookie