7 Delightful Easter Italian Cookies That Will Brighten Your Holiday Table

Oh my dear friend… if there’s one cookie that instantly brings back childhood Easter memories, it’s these Easter Italian Cookies. Soft, tender, lightly sweet, and crowned with a glossy glaze and cheerful sprinkles — they’re the kind of treat that makes everyone smile before they even take a bite.

Every Easter growing up, these little beauties would appear on platters between chocolate eggs and pastel candies. My nonna would say, “It’s not Easter without the sprinkle cookies!” And she was absolutely right.

If you love festive, nostalgic baking like this, don’t forget to subscribe and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

Overview of Recipe Content

These Easter Italian Cookies are perfect for:

• Easter brunch
• Holiday dessert trays
• Spring celebrations
• Baby showers
• Gifting to friends and neighbors

Why You’ll Love Them

• Soft and cake-like texture
• Light, delicate sweetness
• Beautiful pastel glaze
• Colorful sprinkles for that festive touch
• Simple pantry ingredients

What They Taste Like

These cookies are gently sweet with a tender, almost cake-like crumb. The vanilla glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness, and those sprinkles? Pure joy in every bite.

They’re not heavy or overly rich — just soft, comforting, and perfectly balanced.

Ingredients

PIN IT

For the Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional but traditional)
• 1/4 cup milk

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3–4 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• Colorful Easter sprinkles

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

How to Make Easter Italian Cookies

PIN IT

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Eggs & Flavoring

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extract.

Step 5: Combine & Add Milk

Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with milk, mixing just until combined.

The dough will be soft but manageable.

Step 6: Shape

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll gently into balls. Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 10–12 minutes. The bottoms should be lightly golden, but the tops should stay pale and soft.

Let cool completely before glazing.

Step 8: Glaze & Sprinkle

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Dip the tops of cooled cookies into glaze and immediately add sprinkles.

Let glaze set before serving.

What to Serve with Easter Italian Cookies

• Coffee or espresso
• A glass of milk
• Lemon ricotta cake for a citrus pairing
• Fresh berries
• Vanilla ice cream

For more holiday baking inspiration, visit:
https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/

You might also love:

• https://poulef.com/lemon-ricotta-cake/
• https://poulef.com/lemon-blueberry-bread/
• https://poulef.com/almond-joy-banana-bread/
• https://poulef.com/protein-cookie-dough/
• https://poulef.com/chocolate-babka/

Tips for Perfect Italian Cookies

• Don’t overbake — they should stay soft
• Use room-temperature ingredients
• Let cookies cool fully before glazing
• Adjust glaze thickness by adding milk slowly

For extra pastel charm, tint the glaze with soft food coloring.

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months. Glaze after thawing.

General Information

Italian sprinkle cookies are a traditional Easter treat in many Italian-American homes. Their soft, cake-like texture sets them apart from crisp sugar cookies. The glaze and sprinkles symbolize celebration and joy — perfect for spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip almond extract?

Yes, but it adds authentic flavor.

Why are my cookies dry?

They may be overbaked. Keep a close eye on timing.

Can I make them ahead?

Yes! Bake 1–2 days in advance and glaze before serving.

Can I freeze glazed cookies?

Yes, but glaze may lose some shine.

Conclusion

These Easter Italian Cookies are soft, sweet, and topped with colorful sprinkles — a true must-bake for the holiday. They’re simple, nostalgic, and guaranteed to brighten your dessert table.

Bake them once, and they’ll become part of your Easter tradition too.

Interactive Elements

If you make these cookies, leave a comment and rating below — I love hearing your holiday baking stories!

Share your festive cookies on Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/

Tag me so I can see your sprinkle-covered masterpieces!

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie – approx. 24 cookies)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	150 kcal
Carbohydrates	22g
Protein	3g
Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	3g
Sugar	12g
Fiber	0.5g
Sodium	90mg

Print