Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe
Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe
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Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe
This classic Italian Wedding Cookies recipe is the perfect blend of buttery goodness and a hint of almond flavor, dusted with powdered sugar for a delicate finish. Often served at weddings and festive occasions, these bite sized treats are surprisingly simple to make, yet absolutely irresistible. With their melt in your mouth texture and light sweetness, they are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Description
Italian Wedding Cookies recipe, also known as “Pizzelle” or “Ricciarelli” in Italy, are an iconic dessert often served at weddings, holidays, and other special celebrations. These cookies feature a tender, melt in your mouth texture and are made with a few simple ingredients: butter, flour, sugar, and a touch of almond flavoring. Their lightness is enhanced by being rolled in powdered sugar after baking, which gives them an elegant, snowy appearance that makes them perfect for special occasions.
This recipe for Italian Wedding Cookies recipe is easy to follow, making it the ideal treat for beginners or experienced bakers alike. They’re versatile and can be flavored with vanilla, almond, or citrus zest, depending on your preferences. The traditional version uses ground nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, adding a delicious depth of flavor. However, feel free to experiment with other varieties of nuts, like pistachios or hazelnuts, to put your personal spin on this timeless dessert.
The key to getting the perfect Italian Wedding Cookies recipe is ensuring the dough is light, and the cookies are baked until just golden. Overbaking can cause them to become dry, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on them in the oven. When you pull them out, let them cool slightly before dusting them generously with powdered sugar, as this final touch gives them their signature snowy look and sweetness.
Italian Wedding Cookies recipe isnot just for weddings. These delightful cookies make an elegant addition to any holiday cookie platter or tea party spread. With their rich flavor and tender texture, they are sure to impress your guests. Whether you’re baking for a festive occasion or simply looking to indulge in a delicious homemade treat, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (or almonds, pistachios, or your favorite nuts)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional for extra softness)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy removal of the cookies.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add Flavoring: Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk (if using) to the butter mixture, and continue to mix until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add Nuts: Stir in the finely chopped walnuts (or your choice of nuts) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Using a teaspoon or cookie scoop, roll the dough into small balls (about 1-inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Be sure not to overbake them, as they should remain soft and tender.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once the cookies have cooled, generously dust them with powdered sugar. For a more elegant presentation, you can dust the cookies twice for a thicker coating.
- Serve: Serve the cookies on a decorative platter and enjoy. These cookies will stay fresh for about a week when stored in an airtight container.
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Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar plus extra for dusting
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or almonds, pistachios, or your favorite nuts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon milk optional for extra softness
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy removal of the cookies.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add Flavoring: Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk (if using) to the butter mixture, and continue to mix until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add Nuts: Stir in the finely chopped walnuts (or your choice of nuts) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Using a teaspoon or cookie scoop, roll the dough into small balls (about 1-inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Be sure not to overbake them, as they should remain soft and tender.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once the cookies have cooled, generously dust them with powdered sugar. For a more elegant presentation, you can dust the cookies twice for a thicker coating.
- Serve: Serve the cookies on a decorative platter and enjoy! These cookies will stay fresh for about a week when stored in an airtight container.
Notes
- Options: Feel free to substitute the walnuts with your favorite nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts, to add a unique twist to the recipe.
- Dough Consistency: If your dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to achieve the perfect consistency. The dough should be firm yet easy to roll into balls.
- Freezing: You can freeze the dough before baking. Roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze for 1-2 hours. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts such as lemon or orange zest for a citrus twist, or add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a warm, spiced flavor.
I love how easy this recipe is to follow, but the results are so impressive!