Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

Home / Recipes / Desserts / / Italian Butter Cookies

ByRosemary

Jump to Recipe

A buttery simple Italian Cookie. These Italian Butter Cookies are perfect anytime. Serve them as a holiday cookie or with tea or coffee in the afternoon.

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (1)

Yes now these are the cookies that every Italian loves and knows how to make.

Sometimes they are dipped in chocolate, sometimes they are made with a cookie press and sometimes made like I make them, rolled and cut with cookie cutters.

I find rolling and cutting the easiest. And that also makes them perfect for the Holidays. These buttery, slightly crunchy cookies are just that and more.

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2)

Table of Contents

How to make them

  • Beat butter and sugar until creamy, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla and combine

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (3)

  • Add the sifted flour a little at a time, mixing to combine.
  • Form the dough into a ball, then wrap it with plastic and refrigerate.

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (4)

  • Roll the dough on a lightly floured flat surface.
  • Cut out forms with a cookie cutter.
  • Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheets and bake.

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (5)

  • Let cool before serving.

I use salted butter only because I can’t get unsalted in Italy. If you do use unsalted then just add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the flour mixture.

The dough can either be rolled and cut with cutters or rolled into a log and sliced. Whichever you prefer. Sprinkle with a little icing sugar before serving.

How to store them

Let the cookies cool completely before storing. Place the cookies in an airtight container. Place sheets of parchment paper between each layer to keep them from sticking to each other.

Place a piece of white bread on top inside the container to keep them fresh. White bread helps to absorb the moisture which will keep the cookies fresh.

Keep the container at room temperature, the cookies should last 3-4 days if properly stored.

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (6)

How to freeze the cookies

Freeze the completely cooled cookies in a freezer safe bag or container in a single layers. If the container is large then separate the layers with a sheet of parchment paper.

The cookies will last up to five months in the freezer.

More Delicious Italian Cookies

  • Canestrelli
  • Pizzicati
  • Lemon Cookies
  • Occhio di Bue
  • Italian S Cookies

So if you are looking to try an Italian cookies this Holiday season I hope you give these Butter Cookies a try. And of course let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (7)

Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (8)

Italian Butter Cookies

Rosemary Molloy

A buttery simple Italian Cookie. These Italian Butter Cookies are perfect anytime. Serve them as a holiday cookie or with tea or coffee in the afternoon.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course cookies

Cuisine Italian

Servings 35 cookies

Calories 92 kcal

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour*
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 cup butter (softened)**
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

*If the dough is too soft then add a tablespoon or two of flour to firm it up. It should be soft and firm but not loose.

    **Be sure to use a good quality butter, apparently this year 2022, store brand butter quality is not what it used to be. Less fat could mean a dry not so tasty cookie.

      Instructions

      • In a medium bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

      • In a large bowl on medium speed beat the butter and sugar until creamy approximately 3 minutes, then add the egg and vanilla and combine. Add the sifted flour mixture a little at a time until combined.

      • Place the dough on a lightly floured flat surface and gently form into a ball (do not over knead). Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for one hour.

      • Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

      • Place the dough on a lightly floured flat surface and roll (you can use half the dough at a time) to a little thicker then 1/8 inch thick. Place on cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges or lightly golden. Let cool 5-8 minutes then move to cookie rack to cool completely, before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy!

      Notes

      The dough can also be formed into a log, wrapped in plastic and refrigerated. Then just slice and bake.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.85g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5.49g | Saturated Fat: 3.39g | Cholesterol: 19.97mg | Sodium: 50.07mg | Potassium: 28.75mg | Fiber: 0.19g | Sugar: 4.32g | Vitamin A: 170.83IU | Calcium: 10.96mg | Iron: 0.37mg

      Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

      Share

      Share

      Pin

      Email

      Related

      Italian Butter Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

      FAQs

      What is the best selling cookie in Italy? ›

      Best Italian Cookies Brands
      • Macine. A treat for the senses, these shortbread cookies are generously enriched with cream from fresh Italian milk. ...
      • Abbracci. ...
      • Baiocchi. ...
      • Galletti. ...
      • Cuor di Mela. ...
      • Pastefrolle Biscotti Frollini. ...
      • Ciambelle Biscuits. ...
      • Bastoncini Biscuits.
      Oct 27, 2023

      What is the name of the Italian cookie? ›

      This is the proper name for the biscuit we know as biscotti, which in Italian just means “cookies.” Twice-baked and sliced, these ultra-crunchy, not-too-sweet biscuits are usually studded with nuts and simply beg to be dipped in coffee, tea, or a glass of vin santo.

      What homemade cookies stay fresh the longest? ›

      Dry cookies, like shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, and Danish butter cookies, will stay fresher for longer because they have very little moisture.

      What cookie originated in Italy? ›

      Today, I want to share a little bit about Italian cookies called Biscotti. Biscotti, also known as cantuccini or mandelbrot (Mandel bread), are traditional Italian cookies with a long history and rich cultural significance.

      What is the original butter cookies? ›

      Butter cookies, also known as Danish butter cookies, are cookies originating in Denmark consisting of butter, flour, and sugar. They are similar to shortbread cookies. The butter cookie is often categorized as a "crisp cookie" due to its texture, caused in part by the quantity of butter and sugar.

      What is the 1 cookie in the world? ›

      Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

      What is the most sold item in Italy? ›

      Among Italian consumers the two most popular categories for online purchases are Clothing and Shoes. 41 percent and 34 percent of consumers respectively chose these answers in our representative online survey.

      What is the #1 cookie in the United States? ›

      The chocolate chip cookie is far and away America's favorite cookie This should come as no surprise to anyone who enjoys the tasty treat. More than 53% of American adults prefer the cookies over the next most popular kind, peanut butter.

      What is the number one cookie in Italy? ›

      Cantuccini are just a smaller size than cantucci but the recipe is the same. What is Italy's most famous cookie? Amaretti di Sononno are the most famous Italian cookies.

      What is the most famous dessert in Italy? ›

      Perhaps the most iconic Italian dessert, tiramisu appears on menus at restaurants not only throughout Italy but also all over the world.

      How long do homemade butter cookies last? ›

      Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months.

      How long are butter cookies good for? ›

      Butter cookies: Generally these are better a couple of days after baking but keep for at least 1 month (see also spritz, shortbread, Mexican wedding cakes, etc.).

      How long will cookies stay fresh in Ziploc bag? ›

      Freshly baked cookies can generally be stored in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to one week at room temperature. However, the specific shelf life may vary depending on the type of cookie and the ingredients used in the recipe.

      What kind of cookies are in an Italian cookie tray? ›

      Italian Cookie Tray
      • Italian Horn Cookies. Joyce Wilson. ...
      • Italian Anise Cookies With Icing and Sprinkles Recipe - Food.com. ...
      • Traditional Cookie from Italy by frances n - Key Ingredient. ...
      • Cucidati - Italian Fig Cookies | Christmas Cookies. ...
      • Chocolate Canestrelli Cookies. ...
      • Italian Almond Cookies. ...
      • Italian Mostaccioli Cookie Recipe.

      What are Italian rainbow cookies made of? ›

      Composition. Rainbow cookies are typically composed of layers of brightly colored, almond-based sponge cake (usually almond paste/marzipan), apricot and/or raspberry jam, and a chocolate coating. Commonly referred to as a "cookie," their composition is closer in many ways to a layered cake or petit four.

      What is the difference between a butter cookie and shortbread cookie? ›

      Compared to butter cookies, shortbread uses a higher ratio of butter to flour, and is baked at a lower temperature. This gives it its signature delicate consistency that crumbles in the mouth when bitten. It's also often baked in a pan and cut up after baking, rather than being cut into shapes before baking.

      What cookies are cookie butter made from? ›

      Cookie butter (Dutch: speculoospasta, Danish: trøffelmasse) is a food paste made primarily from speculoos cookie crumbs, fat (such as vegetable oil, condensed milk or butter), flour, and sugar. The ingredients are mixed until it becomes spreadable on a sandwich.

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Dan Stracke

      Last Updated:

      Views: 6272

      Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

      Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Dan Stracke

      Birthday: 1992-08-25

      Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

      Phone: +398735162064

      Job: Investor Government Associate

      Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

      Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.