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Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman

Italian Easter Cookies (Taralli Dolci di Pasqua)

20 MINPrep Time
15 MINCook Time
12Servings
(1)
by Giada De Laurentiis
Beginner
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman
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These traditional Italian Easter Cookies originate from the south of Italy - a region that takes their cookies seriously! These simple shortbreads are so easy to make - the dough comes together really nicely, and it's surprisingly simple to get them in their quintessential "doughnut" shape. The cookies themselves aren't too sweet, and they're fragrant with vanilla and lemon zest. The lemony glaze gives them a great zippy citrus flavor and sweetness, and if you have sprinkles on hand, it's a perfect time to use them to get these cookies looking festive.

Italian Easter Cookies (Taralli Dolci di Pasqua)

 

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Italian Easter Cookies (Taralli Dolci di Pasqua)

Category

Dessert

Servings

12

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Image of Italian Easter Cookies (Taralli Dolci di Pasqua)

Ingredients

    For the cookie:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • For the glaze:

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
  • multicolored sprinkles (if desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Adjust the racks to the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula to combine into a shaggy dough. Turn the mixture onto a lightly flour surface and knead 3 or 4 times to bring together into a smooth dough. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 5 inch rope. Form each rope into a circle and place 6 cookies on each of the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are puffed and deep golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on the trays for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, water, lemon juice and lemon zest until smooth. Spoon the glaze over the cooled cookies, and add sprinkles if desired. Allow the glaze to harden, and serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition

Nutrition Serving Size
12
per serving
Calories
189
Amount/Serving % Daily Value
Carbs
44 grams
Protein
4 grams
Fat
7 grams
Saturated Fat
4 grams
Cholesterol
42 milligrams
Sodium
65 milligrams
Fiber
1 grams
Sugar
8 grams
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nut free
vegetarian

4 comments

  • Author's avatar image
    Holly - Jan 08

    I have made these twice now. My husband is very sentimental about these holiday cookies, which were also eaten at Christmas.

    The recipe is good except the dough is VERY hard to work with, and the end result is a bit rough looking. Next time I will add more liquid and more butter.

  • Author's avatar image
    Luana Salvitti - Jun 09
    ★★★★★
    ★★★★★

    I made a gluten-free version – they look and taste superb! Grazie mille Giada per ka ricotta xoxo Buona Pasqua – Happy Easter

  • Author's avatar image
    Frederick Leiss - Jun 09

    Going to try these. Generally they are boiled, no?

  • Author's avatar image
    Manila Bronzi - Jun 09

    Delicious Giada, and the glaze super yummy too. I had to roll a bit longer and thinner the dough since it grows inside the oven, the hole closes up. so i tried first with 2 cookies and then I thinned them out some more to make the hole bigger and it worked perfectly. BUONA PASQUA !!!!

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