Italian Easter Citrus Glazed Cookies (Printable)

Soft citrus-kissed cookies with vanilla glaze and colorful sprinkles for spring celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cookies

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - Zest of 1 orange
11 - 2 tablespoons milk

→ For the Glaze

12 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - Colored sprinkles

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and citrus zests.
05 - Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Add milk and mix until dough is soft but not sticky.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls or ropes; form into rings or knots as desired.
07 - Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until just lightly golden on the bottoms. Cool completely on wire racks.
08 - For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
09 - Dip cooled cookies into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then sprinkle with colored sprinkles. Allow glaze to set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The soft pillowy texture comes from just enough butter without being greasy like some bakery versions
  • Citrus zest makes these taste brighter than your average sugar cookie
  • The glaze sets beautifully so you can stack them for gifting or travel
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients actually matter here, especially the butter and eggs
  • Overbaking by even two minutes makes these dry instead of tender
  • The glaze thickens as it sits, so keep a tiny splash of milk handy to loosen it up
03 -
  • Zest your citrus before juicing it, youll get better pieces and more oils
  • If your dough feels too soft to shape, chill it for 15 minutes before rolling
  • Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizing so everything bakes evenly

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