Sweet Italian ‘S’ Cookies Recipe: Homemade Bakery Magic

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through my mind when I think about these delightful italian s cookies.

Childhood afternoons spent watching her carefully craft each delicate treat come flooding back with remarkable clarity.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a perfect textural harmony that melts in your mouth.

Generations of family recipes converge in this simple yet magical confection.

Warm spices and subtle sweetness invite you to experience a tradition passed down through loving hands.

The aroma alone will transport you to cozy Italian kitchens filled with warmth and comfort.

Bake these cookies and create your own delicious moments to cherish.

Italian S Cookies That Feel Like Grandma’s

• Creates Classic Italian Treats
• Simple step-by-step recipe that requires minimal baking skills, perfect for novice bakers wanting to impress family and friends with traditional Italian cookies.
• Takes under 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal recipe for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute dessert needs.
• Engaging recipe that allows children to help shape S-shaped cookies, creating fun memories while learning basic baking techniques together.
• Serves as a delightful treat for various occasions like afternoon tea, holiday gatherings, or casual family desserts with its light, delicate texture and subtle lemon hint.

Classic Ingredients for Italian S Cookies

• Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the cookies, all-purpose flour works best.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light, fresh is key for optimal performance.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter, Sugar: Creamy base that creates richness and sweetness, softened butter is essential for smooth mixing.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture, room temperature eggs blend more easily.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, classic flavor, pure vanilla provides the best taste.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes and subtle aromatic complexity.

• Milk: Used to soften dough if it becomes too stiff, helps achieve perfect cookie consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting adds subtle sweetness and elegant presentation, optional but recommended.

Make Italian S Cookies with That Perfect Snap

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set your oven to warm up at 350F (175C).

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 3: Whip Butter And Sugar

Use a large mixing bowl to beat softened butter and sugar until the mixture looks light, airy, and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes of continuous mixing.

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time into the butter mixture. Pour in vanilla extract and sprinkle lemon zest. Mix thoroughly until everything combines smoothly.

Step 5: Form Cookie Dough

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture. Stir until a soft dough develops. If the dough feels too thick, splash in 1-2 tablespoons of milk to soften its texture.

Step 6: Shape Unique Cookies

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough. Roll each portion into a 4-5 inch rope. Curve the rope into an elegant S shape and place on prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each cookie.

Step 7: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookie edges turn a delicate golden color. Be careful not to overcook, as you want soft, tender cookies.

Step 8: Cool And Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Serve as is or dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.

Tips That Bring Out the Best in S Cookies

• Boost Butter Softness: Leave butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy texture and easier blending with other ingredients.
• Customize Cookie Shapes: Experiment with different shapes like circles or twists if the S-shape seems challenging, maintaining the traditional Italian cookie spirit.
• Control Dough Consistency: Add milk gradually if dough feels too dry, ensuring a soft, pliable texture that's easy to shape without cracking.
• Zest for Maximum Flavor: Use fresh lemon zest and grate directly over the mixing bowl to capture all essential oils and enhance the cookie's aromatic profile.
• Prevent Burning Edges: Use light-colored baking sheets and rotate them midway through baking to ensure even golden-brown coloration without scorching.

How to Keep Italian S Cookies Crisp and Soft

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft texture.
• Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain their delicate crumbly consistency.

Serve These Alongside Italian S Cookies

• Brew a refreshing lemon-infused black tea that complements the cookies' bright citrus notes, enhancing the lemon zest in the recipe.
• Create a light mascarpone dip with a touch of honey and vanilla, perfect for dunking the S-shaped cookies and adding a luxurious Italian touch.
• Select a crisp, light sparkling wine with almond undertones that echoes the delicate texture and subtle flavor profile of the Italian S cookies.
• Prepare a simple ricotta spread with a drizzle of local honey, providing a rich, creamy counterpoint to the cookies' subtle sweetness and delicate crunch.

Different Ways to Shape and Flavor S Cookies

• Gluten-Free Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend flour for those with celiac disease or wheat sensitivities. Add xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
• Lemon-Lavender Variation: Substitute lemon zest with dried lavender buds for a floral, aromatic flavor profile. Reduce vanilla extract slightly to highlight lavender notes.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend instead of regular sugar. Reduce overall sweetener quantity by 25% to maintain cookie structure and taste.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Replace eggs with ground flaxseed mixed with water or commercial egg replacer. Choose plant-based vanilla extract to ensure complete vegan compliance.

Italian S Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Crumbly, buttery Italian s cookies blend nostalgic family traditions with sweet memories. Delicate almond-scented treats melt in your mouth, transporting you to warm kitchen gatherings where love is shared through simple, perfect bites.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk (optional, for softer dough)

Flavor Enhancers:

(none in this recipe)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350F (175C) and arranging parchment-lined baking sheets to ensure optimal cookie performance.
2. Create a delicate dry mixture by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Transform butter and sugar into a creamy, airy foundation by vigorously beating them until they develop a light, voluminous texture, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Introduce moisture and flavor by incorporating eggs individually, followed by vanilla extract and lemon zest, blending until the mixture achieves a smooth, harmonious consistency.
5. Gently marry the dry and wet components, folding the flour mixture into the creamy base until a supple dough emerges. If the texture seems rigid, introduce a splash of milk to soften and relax the mixture.
6. Craft elegant cookie shapes by rolling tablespoon-sized dough portions into slender 4-5 inch ropes, artfully curving them into distinctive S-formations on the prepared baking sheets, maintaining generous spacing between each cookie.
7. Shepherd the cookies through a transformative baking process, allowing them to develop a delicate golden edge within 12-15 minutes, carefully monitoring to preserve their tender interior.
8. Facilitate cooling by letting cookies rest momentarily on baking sheets, then transition them to a wire rack for complete temperature reduction. Present these delectable treats either in their natural state or adorned with a whisper of powdered sugar.

Notes

• Soften butter thoroughly at room temperature to ensure smooth, creamy mixing without lumps.
• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients like pure vanilla extract and fresh lemon zest for maximum flavor depth.
• Adjust cookie thickness by rolling dough slightly thinner or thicker for desired texture and crispness.
• Experiment with alternative flavor variations by substituting lemon zest with orange zest or adding almond extract for a different taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg