Italian Easter Cookies

Italian Easter Cookies are simple and fragrant pastries, so easy to make that you can have fun making them at home even with your kids.

To prepare them, simply mix together eggs, sugar, flour, butter, grated orange and lemon zest, vanilla extract, and baking ammonia: the latter will give the biscuits a particularly light and crumbly consistency.

Sprinkled with colored sugar sprinkles and baked until golden brown, these delicious treats are perfect for dunking in a glass of warm milk for breakfast or serving as a snack during the Easter holidays with a piece of chocolate.

How to Substitute Baking Ammonia

You can substitute baking ammonia in Italian Easter cookies with baking powder, using about three times the amount, but the texture will change: the cookies will turn out softer and less crisp rather than dry and crunchy.

How to Make Italian Easter Cookies

Step 1

Step 1

To prepare the Easter cookies, first collect the eggs, granulated sugar and grated citrus zest in a large bowl.

To prepare the Easter cookies, first collect the eggs, granulated sugar and grated citrus zest in a large bowl.

Step 2

Step 2

Beat the ingredients with the prongs of a fork.

Beat the ingredients with the prongs of a fork.

Step 3

Step 3

Flavor with the vanilla extract, add the baking ammonia and continue mixing.

Flavor with the vanilla extract, add the baking ammonia and continue mixing.

Step 4

Step 4

Finally, add the sifted flour and the soft butter.

Finally, add the sifted flour and the soft butter.

Step 5

Step 5

Mix the ingredients until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough.

Mix the ingredients until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough.

Step 6

Step 6

Take small portions of dough and shape them into balls of the same weight with your hands: with these doses you will get about 12.

Take small portions of dough and shape them into balls of the same weight with your hands: with these doses you will get about 12.

Step 7

Step 7

Arrange the cookies on a baking tray lined with baking paper, a few centimeters apart from each other, and flatten them slightly.

Arrange the cookies on a baking tray lined with baking paper, a few centimeters apart from each other, and flatten them slightly.

Step 8

Step 8

Brush the surface with a beaten egg.

Brush the surface with a beaten egg.

Step 9

Step 9

Decorate with colored sugar sprinkles and cook everything in a preheated static oven at 355°F/180°C for 20-25 minutes.

Decorate with colored sugar sprinkles and cook everything in a preheated static oven at 355°F/180°C for 20-25 minutes.

Step 10

Step 10

When they are golden and fragrant, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool completely.

When they are golden and fragrant, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool completely.

Step 11

Step 11

Arrange the pastries on a tray, bring to the table and serve. Enjoy!

Arrange the pastries on a tray, bring to the table and serve. Enjoy!

Storage Instructions

If you have any leftovers, the Italian Easter cookies can be stored at room temperature, tightly closed in a tin, for up to 1 week.