ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES – Authentic Soft Glazed Rings

ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES fill homes with the nostalgic aroma of vanilla, citrus, and sweet anise, welcoming spring with every buttery bite. These tender, glazed rings—known in many Italian families as “ciambelline di Pasqua”—are rolled, twisted, and finished with cheerful sprinkles that sparkle like confetti on a festival street. While they’re firmly rooted in Italian Easter Desserts tradition, their melt-in-your-mouth texture rivals beloved Italian Butter Cookies and even the crumbly charm of an Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe. Whether you’re piecing together a full spread of Italian Easter Recipes or simply craving a taste of Sicilian sunshine, these cookies promise to brighten brunch tables, holiday baskets, and any springtime gathering.

Why You’ll Love This ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES Recipe

• Soft, cake-like crumb and delicate glaze make these gems lighter than many Italian Cookie Recipes Traditional.
• Lemon-orange zest brings lively flavor that balances sweetness, setting them apart from richer Italian Christmas Cookies Authentic.
• No fancy tools—just a bowl, whisk, and baking sheet—so you can bake joy into your Spring Cookies Recipes repertoire with ease.
• Dough holds shape for rolling, twisting, or braiding, letting kids join the fun of decorating Easter Baked Goods.
• Versatile glaze colors turn one batch into pastel treats for Easter brunch or vivid hues for an Italian Easter Dinner finale.

Recipe Snapshot

Ingredients

• 3¼ cups all-purpose flour – classic structure with iron and B vitamins (flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder – gentle lift for cake-like crumb
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt – balances sweetness
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened – rich flavor and tender texture
• ¾ cup granulated sugar – sweetens and aids golden color
• 3 large eggs – protein binds and enriches (eggs)
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract – warm bakery aroma
• 1 teaspoon almond extract – subtle nod to Italian Christmas Cookie Recipes
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest – bright citrus lift
• 1 tablespoon orange zest – classic Italian flavor note
• Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 3–4 tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla
• Pastel sprinkles – festive finish

Ellie

Italian Easter Cookies

Italian Easter Cookies, also known as “ciambelline di Pasqua,” are tender, buttery rings flavored with vanilla, citrus, and sweet anise. Light, melt-in-your-mouth, and finished with a sweet glaze and festive sprinkles, they bring springtime celebration to any holiday table.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 14 minutes mins

Total Time 39 minutes mins

Servings: 36 cookies

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Healthy

Calories: 120

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp fine sea salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp orange zest

Glaze & Topping

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3–4 Tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pastel sprinkles for decoration

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet

Method

 

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla, almond extract, lemon zest, and orange zest.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; add to wet mixture and stir until soft dough forms.
4. Pinch walnut-size dough pieces, roll into 6″ ropes, and shape into rings.
5. Arrange rings on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes until lightly golden.
6. Whisk glaze ingredients to pourable consistency. Dip warm cookies and sprinkle, then let glaze set.
7. Allow cookies to cool completely before serving or packaging.

Notes

If dough feels sticky, chill for 15 minutes before shaping. Use fresh citrus zest for bright flavor. Tint glaze for pastel holidays and swap half the flour with almond flour for tender crumb. Allow glaze to fully set before stacking to preserve appearance.

How to Make the ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES Recipe

Cue up Italian music and let’s bake! These ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES come together quickly, yet taste like nonna spent hours in the kitchen.

Step 1: Cream Butter & Sugar

Beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes.

Step 2: Add Eggs & Flavorings

Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla, almond extract, lemon zest, and orange zest.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; add to wet mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Pinch walnut-size pieces, roll into 6-inch ropes, twist ends to form rings—signature shape of many Italian Cookie Recipes Traditional.

Step 5: Bake to Light Gold

Arrange on parchment-lined sheets. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for 12–14 minutes until bottoms are golden and tops just set.

Step 6: Glaze & Decorate

Whisk glaze ingredients to a pourable consistency. Dip warm cookies, top with sprinkles, and let set.

Step 7: Cool & Enjoy

Transfer to racks. Once glaze is firm, serve or package for holiday gifting.

Pro Tips for Making the ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES Recipe

• Chill dough 15 minutes if kitchen is warm—keeps rings neat and prevents spreading.
• Use zested fruit right before juicing for other Italian Easter Desserts—zero waste!
• Tint glaze with gel food color for pastel rainbow trays that rival bakery Spring Cookies Recipes.
• Swap ½ cup flour for almond flour for a tender crumb plus healthy fats (Healthline benefit).
• Let glaze set fully before stacking to keep cookies picture-perfect for your Easter Baked Goods boxes.

How to Serve ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES

From sunrise services to lingering dinners, here’s how to spotlight these joyful treats:

• Arrange on a dessert board alongside Italian Butter Cookies and Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe for a trio of classics.
• Serve with espresso after Italian Easter Dinner as a light, sweet finale.
• Package in pastel cellophane for edible place cards at brunch.
• Pair with sparkling Moscato for a simple Italian Easter Desserts course.
• Gift in tins with notes sharing your family’s Italian Easter Recipes heritage.
• Stack in towers tied with ribbon as take-home favors for guests.
• Dunk rings into cappuccino for an afternoon pick-me-up.
• Include on cookie trays next to Italian Christmas Cookies Authentic come December—festive all year!
• Use crushed leftovers as crumb topping for Peach Coffee Cake Recipes or cheesecakes.
• Crumble over vanilla gelato for an elevated weeknight treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

• Keep cooled cookies in an airtight tin up to 7 days.
• Layer parchment between rows to protect glaze.
• Avoid humid environments; moisture softens glaze sheen.
• Refresh day-old cookies with 5 minutes at 275 °F to revive aroma.

Freezing

• Freeze un-glazed rings up to 2 months; glaze after thawing.
• Flash-freeze baked cookies on sheet pan, then bag to prevent breakage.
• Label bags with date and “Italian Easter” for holiday prep ease.
• Thaw at room temp 1 hour, then glaze and sprinkle.

Reheating

• Warm un-glazed cookies 5 minutes at 300 °F for fresh-baked softness.
• Glazed cookies reheat best at 250 °F for 3 minutes—glaze stays intact.
• Microwave 8 seconds for quick softening (single cookie).
• Avoid high heat, which dulls sprinkle colors.

FAQs

What are the health benefits of almonds and eggs?

Almond flour adds vitamin E, magnesium, and protein while keeping cookies naturally gluten-friendly. Eggs supply complete protein and B vitamins, helping bind dough and enrich flavor.

Can I substitute butter?

For dairy-free diets, replace butter with refined coconut oil. Flavor will differ slightly, but texture remains tender—ideal when adding to broader Italian Cookie Recipes Traditional collections.

How can I add flavor without extra calories?

Use extra citrus zest, anise seed, or almond extract—zero calories yet maximum aroma. Dust cooled cookies with icing sugar instead of heavier glaze for lighter results.

Can I meal prep ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES?

Absolutely. Freeze shaped dough rings for up to three months, then bake from frozen—simply add two minutes to bake time. Perfect for assembling dessert platters across seasons, from spring gatherings to winter Italian Christmas Cookie Recipes exchanges.

Final Thoughts

ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES embody the joy of springtime celebrations—bright, sweet, and steeped in family tradition. With their tender crumb, vibrant glaze, and cheerful sprinkles, these cookies turn kitchens into festive bakeries and spark conversations that bridge generations. Whether you’re adding them to time-honored Italian Easter Desserts spreads or gifting tins to friends, each bite carries the warmth of Italian hospitality. Share, savor, and let these colorful rings become part of your own holiday story.

For more other delicious recipes, check out this link !!