Italian Sugar Cookies Recipe
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
Servings: 120 large cookies
Description:
Indulge in the festive spirit with these delightful Italian Sugar Cookies, also known as Italian White Christmas Cookies. This timeless recipe, cherished for years, yields a batch of basic yet irresistibly soft cookies, ready to be adorned with your favorite icing and decorations. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these cookies will add a touch of sweetness to your celebrations.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 cups | Sugar |
| 2 cups | Vegetable shortening |
| 6 | Eggs |
| 2 cups | Buttermilk |
| 4 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 2 tsp | Cream of tartar |
| 2 tsp | Baking soda |
| 7 1/2 cups | Flour |
Note: Some ingredients are not specified in the provided information.
Instructions:
-
Cream shortening and sugar with electric mixer.
Begin by combining the sugar and vegetable shortening in a bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream the ingredients until smooth and well-blended. -
Add eggs one at a time and beat well.
Gradually add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time, ensuring each egg is well incorporated before adding the next. Beat the mixture thoroughly to achieve a smooth consistency. -
Add buttermilk, flavor extracts, baking soda, and cream of tartar and blend well.
Introduce the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and other flavor extracts to the batter. Sprinkle in the baking soda and cream of tartar, blending everything well until the mixture is smooth and fragrant. -
Now by hand with a wooden spoon, add flour 1 cup at a time until the mixture is stiff.
Transition to using a wooden spoon, and gradually incorporate the flour into the batter. Add one cup at a time, stirring by hand until the mixture becomes stiff and well-combined. -
Drop from heaping tablespoons onto a lightly greased cookie sheet 2 to 3 inches apart.
Using heaping tablespoons, drop portions of the cookie dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Ensure there’s ample space, about 2 to 3 inches apart, for the cookies to expand while baking. -
If not icing, you may press on the nuts or sprinkles now (or you can ice or frost and decorate with sprinkles after baking).
For added texture and flavor, consider pressing nuts or sprinkles onto the cookies before baking. Alternatively, if you prefer, leave them plain for icing, frosting, and decoration after baking. -
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven, center oven rack, 10 to 13 minutes or until cookie edges are slightly brown and tops look set. DO NOT OVERBAKE.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the cookies on the center rack and bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown, and the tops appear set. Be cautious not to overbake, as this may result in dry and hard cookies. -
Carefully remove to rack to cool. Frost or decorate as desired.
Once baked to perfection, carefully transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before frosting or decorating according to your preferences. -
Notes: Recipe may be halved, cookies freeze well, for best baking use an insulated baking sheet as these tend to burn on the bottom. Store airtight.
- Halve the recipe if needed.
- These cookies freeze exceptionally well, making them a convenient treat for later.
- Optimal baking is achieved with an insulated baking sheet to prevent burning on the bottom.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 90.2
- Fat Content: 3.8g
- Saturated Fat Content: 1.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 10.7mg
- Sodium Content: 28.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 12.9g
- Fiber Content: 0.2g
- Sugar Content: 6.9g
- Protein Content: 1.3g
Enjoy these Italian Sugar Cookies as a delightful addition to your holiday festivities! 🍪✨
