Golden Italian S Cookies Recipe: Homemade Sweet Bliss

Soft, pillowy clouds of sweetness dance across Italian s cookies, tempting taste buds with their delicate charm.

Generations of bakers have perfected this delightful treat passed down through cherished family traditions.

Light and airy, these cookies melt in your mouth with a gentle whisper of sweetness.

Each bite carries the warmth of classic Italian bakeries and memories of cozy kitchen gatherings.

The simple ingredients blend into magic, creating a treat that sparks joy and comfort.

Powdered sugar dusts these delectable morsels, transforming them into little pieces of edible art.

These cookies promise to bring a touch of Italian culinary magic right to your plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 112 kcal

Servings: 23

Ingredients In Italian S Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational structure for creating soft, tender cookies with perfect crumbly texture.
• Baking Powder: Magical rising agent that helps cookies achieve light and airy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base that ensures cookies have luxurious melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweet foundation and helps create golden-brown edges.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds moisture and helps hold cookie structure together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, complex flavor profile with warm aromatic notes.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy undertone that elevates traditional cookie taste.
• Milk: Optional softening agent to adjust dough consistency if needed.

• Powdered Sugar: Optional delicate topping that adds elegant, sweet finishing touch to cookies.

What Tools Help With Italian S Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and creating cookie dough.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar smoothly and beat eggs efficiently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution.
• Baking sheets: Needed for baking and cooling cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain their texture.
• Grater or microplane: Helpful for zesting lemon.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Makes portioning dough consistent and easy.

Steps To Bake Italian S Cookies

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen with a cozy 350F temperature. Cover baking sheets with soft parchment paper, creating a welcoming surface for your delightful treats.

• Butter and Sugar Magic

In a spacious mixing bowl, transform butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud of sweetness. Whip them together until they become light and airy, creating a dreamy base for your cookies.

• Flavor Infusion

Gently introduce eggs one by one, followed by whispers of vanilla and zesty lemon. Blend these ingredients until they dance together harmoniously, creating a rich and fragrant mixture.

• Dough Creation

Slowly combine dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Stir until a soft, pillowy dough emerges. If the mixture feels too firm, invite a splash of milk to soften its personality.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll small portions of dough into elegant rope-like strands. Curve each strand into a graceful S shape, placing them on the prepared baking sheets with room to breathe.

• Baking Moment

Slide the baking sheets into the warm oven. Watch as the cookies transform, turning golden at the edges while maintaining a tender heart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, being careful not to overcook.

• Cooling and Serving

Let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a cooling rack. Dust with a whisper of powdered sugar if desired, and enjoy these delicate Italian treasures.

Tips And Changes For Italian S Cookies

• Quick Softening Trick: Let cold butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the perfect creamy texture without melting.
• Dough Consistency Control: Add milk sparingly if the dough feels too dry – just 1 teaspoon at a time to maintain the ideal soft cookie texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with a quality gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for similar texture and structure.
• Low-Sugar Option: Swap half the white sugar with coconut sugar or reduce total sugar by 25% for a less sweet, more subtle Italian cookie experience. Consider adding a touch of almond extract to enhance the flavor profile when reducing sugar.

How To Serve Italian S Cookies Nicely

• Sweet Sidekick Delight: Pair these Italian S cookies with a steaming cappuccino or espresso for an authentic Italian breakfast experience.
• Festive Party Platter: Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for a stunning dessert display at gatherings.
• Afternoon Tea Treat: Serve these delicate cookies alongside chamomile tea or a light, fruity herbal blend for a perfect mid-afternoon snack.
• Gifting Gourmet Touch: Package the cooled cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a rustic ribbon for a charming homemade gift that showcases your baking skills.

Storing Italian S Cookies After Baking

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.

• Quick Refrigeration Trick: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for extended freshness up to 7 days.
• Freezing Magic: Layer cookies between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum taste and quality when thawed at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Batch Preparation Plan: Prepare cookie dough ahead of time, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze for 1 month before baking, allowing flexible meal planning and spontaneous treat moments.

Soft Italian S Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Italian s cookies blend classic Mediterranean flavors with sweet nostalgia. Crisp almond-studded treats offer comfort and tradition in each delightful bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsps milk (optional, for softer dough)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven racks and line baking sheets with parchment paper, then preheat oven to 350F (175C).
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of dry components.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a pale, aerated base for the cookie dough.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly. Add vanilla extract and citrus zest, blending until smooth and fragrant.
5. Dough Formation: Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet mixture, kneading into a pliable dough. Adjust consistency with minimal milk if needed to achieve optimal texture.
6. Shaping Process: Divide dough into tablespoon-sized portions, rolling each into rope-like strands. Elegantly curve each rope into distinctive S-shapes, spacing evenly on prepared baking sheets.
7. Baking and Cooling: Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Allow initial cooling on baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.

Notes

• Manage Moisture Carefully: Adjust milk quantity precisely to prevent overly sticky or dry dough, ensuring perfect cookie texture and consistency.
• Control Baking Temperature: Watch cookies closely during 12-15 minute baking window, as slight temperature variations can dramatically affect golden-brown coloration and crispness.
• Handle Dough Gently: Roll ropes with light touch to maintain delicate structure, preventing dense or tough cookie results.
• Customize Flavor Profile: Experiment with citrus zest variations like lemon, orange, or bergamot to introduce unique aromatic dimensions while maintaining traditional S-shape design.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 112
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 42 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg