Italian Butter Cookies
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.
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.
How to make them
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and combine
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
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
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!
Hi Rosemary I love your recipies I have been making Italan butter cookies by the dozen I had a stroke in July and baking has been great theripy almost 100% Thank you very much Mike
Hi Mike, thanks so much, sorry to hear about your stroke, but very happy I could help you mend. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!
This is a beautiful recipe! These cookies are so nostalgic capturing my talian childhood Sunday bakery moments in this cookie. I don’t how, but it just does. Please post more recipes.
Hi Denise, thanks so much, yes I have lots of recipes planned. Take care.
These were delicious and those who tried them want the recipe!!!
Hi Terry, thanks so much and so glad everyone wanted the recipe. Take care.
Hi my dough is like buttercream, what have I done wrong? I’ve added more flour
Thanks
Hi Joy, I really don’t know why it was like that, did you maybe add too much butter? Adding more flour is the correct thing to do.
Hi there! Probably my third time in one week making these! This time I doubled the recipe and I accidently softened my butter too much, what do you suggest?
Hi Nicole, if the dough is already made then I would chill it for an hour. If not then chill the dough until it hardens up just a bit. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Rosemary, I love your recipes! I’m looking for a shaped lemon cookie. Would it be ok to add lemon zest/juice to this recipe, or would you advise going with something specific for lemon? I can’t wait to try these.
Hi Annie, thanks so much, I do have 2 other lemon cookies that are made for cutting out. Lemon Sugar Cookies – https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/sugar-cookies/ and a Lemon Shortbread – https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/lemon-shortbread-cookies/ . You probably could add a little lemon juice (1 tablespoon) or even lemon extract and for sure zest. Let me know how it goes.
Can I use a food processor for the dough ?
Hi Sonia yes I think that would work, but pulse just to combine, then move to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead into a ball. Let me know how it goes.
Used mine and they are perfect and very delicious…..Easy to make
Hi Jan, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them.
I have many times and love them. My mom always made them. The last 2 times I made them , they came crumbly. I’m wondering why
Hi Diana, sometimes it could be the butter you use has less fat, add a bit more which should help. Take care!
Your cookie recipes sound wonderful. I’m going to try them
Thanks Anna, let me know how it goes.
These cookies are amazing! Can the dough be prepared in advance and left in the fridge overnight?
Hi Melanie, yes you can leave the dough overnight in the fridge. It will probably be hard, so bring it to room temperature for about an hour or so to soften it up a bit. Merry Christmas.
if I wanted to add sprinkles, would you recommend an egg wash and sprinkles, then bake?
Hi Mary, to tell the truth I think the egg wash would turn the cookie yellow, I would brush the cookie with milk and then sprinkles rather than an egg wash and then bake. Hope that helps.
Love this recipe. My cookies always come out perfect.
I thought these were delicious and make for a very good coffee cookie!!! Can’t wait to share some with my 85 year old mother who loves coffee and a cookie as much as I do. Five stars in my book!!
Hi Terry, thanks so much, I hope your mother enjoys them too. Take care.
Can you put the cookie dough in a cookie press? Or is the dough to soft?
Thank you
Hi Pat, in my opinion it’s too soft, although I don’t have much experience with a cookie press.
OHHHH my gosh!! I am addicted to these things! I cut the recipe in half as I do when trying a new recipe….and made about 12 of them…but cut them way tooooo skinny….but had to bake this this am and get them out as gifts!!! I could eat the whole pan full…my only advise is be generous w the flour when you roll them out…mine were too oily …and cut them at least 1/4 thick. I cut about 1/16….and so crispy and luscious…..but need to be thicker to bag up and give away…unless you are underweight and are advised to eat butter!! Then go for it…..no need for any other butter cookie recipe…and I am alway trying new recipes even if I think I have the perfect one…I think this is only the 5 or 6th that I won’t change a thing!! thanks!! For sharing…..
Hi Debbie, haha thanks so much, yes they are addicting.