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Italian Butter Cookies Recipe

Check out my classic Italian Butter Cookie Recipe! Made in a cookie gun, this simple and buttery recipe is the perfect Christmas treat.

If you’re looking for a delicious, easy-to-make cookie that will impress your friends and family, look no further than this Italian butter cookie recipe.

This Italian Spritz Cookie recipe comes together in minutes and yields a crispy, buttery cookie that’s perfect for any occasion. Best of all, it can be easily adapted to suit your own personal taste.

The key to making cookie press recipes perfectly is to use a cookie gun, which ensures that each cookie is the same shape and size. These simple butter cookies are buttery, crisp around the edges and soft in the middle

Italian Butter Cookies are a traditional Italian cookie that is great for any time of year, but especially at Christmas. It’s an old family favorite that has been passed down for generations.

If you’re looking for a nostalgic cookie that is easy to make and perfect for all types of special occasions, Italian Spritz Cookies are the recipe for you. No need to head to an Italian bakery when you can make this easy recipe right at home.

How to this Make Italian Butter Cookie Recipe

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Equipment

Stand Mixer with the paddle attachment or a handheld mixer
Mixing bowl
Baking trays
Cookie gun

Instructions 

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Prepare 2 large baking sheets with a sheet of parchment paper.

Note: Use the empty butter wrappers to grease the pans first so the parchment stays flat.

In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy.

Mix in egg yolks and vanilla and almond extract into the sugar mixture.

Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Slowly add in the remaining dry ingredients and mix until incorporated and a dough forms.

Put some of your cookie dough into your cookie press. I like to use a little bit of cookie batter at a time so that you can change your decorative discs.

Hold your cookie press perpendicular to the cookie sheet and press the cookies onto your prepared baking sheet.

Add your sprinkles.

Your cookies will need a baking time of about 10 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.

Cool your cookies on a wire rack.

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Best Results Using a Cookie Press 

Put some of your dough into your cookie press. I like to use a little bit of dough at a time so that you can change your decorative discs.

You could even change the color of the dough with some red or green food coloring. Just pinch off some dough and in a separate bowl mix in the coloring.

Hold your cookie press perpendicular to the baking sheet and press the cookies onto your baking sheet.

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How to Decorate Italian Butter Cookies

Italian Butter Cookies can be decorated with various toppings such as nuts, chocolate ganache, candy, and sprinkles.

Spreading melted chocolate or a teaspoon of preserves onto the flat side of the cookies and sandwiching them together – blackberry jam, raspberry jam or strawberry jam all work well.

Add sprinkles before baking.

A maraschino cherry is delicious in the center of each cookie.

Dip your Italian cookies into dark chocolate, white chocolate or milk chocolate.

How to Store Cookies 

Place cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If you decide to use 

The cookies can also be frozen for up to three months if needed – just wrap them in parchment paper or wax paper before freezing.

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How to Make Butter Cookies Without A Cookie Press

If you do not want to purchase a cookie press, you can use piping bags to pipe your cookies using an open star pastry tip or other type of piping tip. 

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Try More of My Cookie Recipes to Try Throughout the Holiday Season!

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Italian Butter Cookies Heart Shaped by a Cookie Gun

italian butter cookies recipe

Yield: 2 dozen
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Check out my classic Italian Butter Cookie Recipe! Made in a cookie gun, this simple and buttery recipe is the perfect Christmas treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup  white sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. Prepare 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Note: Use the empty butter wrappers to grease the pans first so the parchment stays flat.
    3. Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy.
    4. Mix in egg yolks and vanilla and almond extract.
    5. Don't forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    6. Slowly add in the flour and salt and mix until incorporated.
    7. Put some of your dough into your cookie press. I like to use a little bit of dough at a time so that you can change your decorative discs.
    8. Hold your cookie press perpendicular to the baking sheet and press the cookies onto your baking sheet.
    9. Add your sprinkles.
    10. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies become slightly golden

Notes

How to use a cookie press 

Put some of your dough into your cookie press. I like to use a little bit of dough at a time so that you can change your decorative discs.

You could even change the color of the dough with some red or green food coloring. Just pinch off some dough and in a separate bowl mix in the coloring.

Hold your cookie press perpendicular to the baking sheet and press the cookies onto your baking sheet.

How to Store Cookies 

Place cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If you decide to use 

The cookies can also be frozen for up to three months if needed - just wrap them in parchment paper or wax paper before freezing.

How to Make Butter Cookies Without A Cookie Press

If you do not want to purchase a cookie press, you can use piping bags to pipe your cookies using an open star pastry tip or other type of piping tip. 

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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Sue E

Monday 11th of October 2021

I grew up in an Italian family. Cooking around the holidays was a huge treat for us. We took pride in our cooking! My grandma used to make Butter Cookies like these. Awesome and pin worthy!! Thank you for sharing!

momma lew

Tuesday 12th of October 2021

I love hearing this!!

50+ Christmas Cookies Santa Will Love - Momma Lew

Thursday 31st of October 2019

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Lauryn R

Sunday 21st of January 2018

Yum! I always have a tin of butter cookies on hand, but I believe they are Danish. I don't think I have ever had Italian butter cookies before, but they sound delicious! I am definitely going to have to make some soon, thanks for sharing! :)

Becky

Thursday 7th of December 2017

They look delicious, Reesa! I love the vintage cookie press!

Carol S

Tuesday 21st of November 2017

I also recently found my cookie press that I haven't used in years. Thank you for sharing this recipe, perfect timing for making holiday treats and surprising my children and grandchildren.

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