– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon baking powder
– ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
– Optional: Zest of 1 lemon or orange, chopped nuts for added texture
Making these Italian Butter Cookies is a breeze if you follow these simple steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until the dough comes together.
6. Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, allowing space between each one.
7. Shape the Cookies: Gently flatten each cookie with the palm of your hand or a fork for a nice finish.
8. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden.
9. Cool: Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
10. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for that elegant touch.
Following these straightforward steps will ensure you end up with perfectly baked Italian Butter Cookies every time!