The Most Enchanting Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe Ever

Delicate and powdery, these classic Italian wedding cookies melt in your mouth with pure sweetness.

Generations of bakers have perfected this treasured family recipe passed down through decades of celebrations.

Each small, round cookie carries delightful memories of festive gatherings and cherished traditions.

Buttery almond notes dance across your palate with every tender bite.

The delicate snowball-like treats emerge from the oven crisp and delicate, dusted generously with powdered sugar.

These irresistible morsels require just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.

Let the aroma of vanilla and almonds guide you to creating these beloved cookies that will surely become a new favorite in your baking repertoire.

Italian Wedding Cookies – How to Make Them

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 325F.

Grab some parchment paper and line your baking sheets, creating a perfect non-stick surface for these delightful treats.

Step 2: Crush Those Nuts

Toss almonds into a food processor with a sprinkle of sugar.

Pulse until you’ve got a fine, powdery almond landscape.

Step 3: Whip Up The Butter Base

Grab your mixer and cream butter with the remaining sugar and vanilla.

Whip it until it’s fluffy and looks like a cloud of deliciousness, about 3 minutes.

Step 4: Build Your Cookie Mixture

Gently fold in flour and salt into your butter mixture.

Then softly incorporate the ground almond mixture until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 5: Create Cookie Pearls

Roll the dough into tiny, adorable 3/4-inch balls.

Place these little gems about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 22-26 minutes.

Halfway through, give the pan a gentle spin to ensure even golden-brown bottoms.

Step 7: First Sugar Shower

After 3 minutes of cooling, gently roll the warm cookies in a soft blanket of powdered sugar.

Step 8: Final Sugar Kiss

Once the cookies are completely cool, give them another luxurious roll in powdered sugar for that classic wedding cookie look.

Handy Tips for Italian Wedding Cookies

• Use a food processor for uniform, fine almond texture without clumping or creating paste.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before shaping to help cookies maintain structure and prevent falling apart.
• Gently roll warm cookies in powdered sugar using a shallow bowl to ensure even, light coverage without breaking delicate cookies.
• Allow cookies to cool slightly before first sugar coating to help sugar adhere better and create a beautiful, smooth finish.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking.

Italian Wedding Cookies – Mix Up the Styles

• Gluten-Free Almond Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap regular sugar with erythritol or stevia, use almond flour, and increase butter content to match ketogenic macronutrient ratios.
• Vegan Nutty Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use plant-based powdered sugar for coating, and ensure all ingredients are dairy-free.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Reduce sugar quantity, use monk fruit sweetener, and incorporate more ground nuts for natural sweetness and texture.

Serving Italian Wedding Cookies at Gatherings

• Sweet Celebration Platter: Arrange cookies on a elegant white serving tray with delicate doilies, perfect for wedding or holiday gatherings.
• Festive Coffee Companion: Pair these delicate cookies with espresso or cappuccino, creating a classic Italian dessert experience that complements the rich, nutty flavor.
• Gifting Delight: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with silk ribbons, making charming homemade gifts for special occasions or as a thoughtful hostess present.
• Dessert Display Elegance: Dust extra powdered sugar around the plate's edge and garnish with fresh mint leaves or almond slivers for a sophisticated presentation that enhances visual appeal.

Italian Wedding Cookies – Storage Made Simple

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, and freeze for 2-3 months without powdered sugar coating.
• Keep in sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring cookies remain dry and away from humidity.
• Warm cookies briefly in 300F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness, then dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving.

FAQs

• Why are these called wedding cookies?

These cookies are traditionally served at Italian weddings as a symbol of good luck and celebration, often given as favors to wedding guests.

• Can I use different nuts instead of almonds?

Yes, you can substitute almonds with pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts while maintaining a similar texture and flavor profile.

• How do I prevent the cookies from crumbling?

Ensure your butter is at room temperature and mix ingredients gently to maintain the delicate structure of the cookies.

• What is the best way to roll the cookies in powdered sugar?

Use a shallow bowl and gently roll warm cookies, then repeat when completely cool for a perfect sugar coating that won’t fall off easily.

Italian Wedding Cookies – Beloved Features

• These cookies offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture that feels like a delicate culinary masterpiece, perfect for those who love subtle, refined desserts.
• With just a few simple ingredients like almonds, butter, and sugar, anyone can create these sophisticated cookies without complex shopping lists.
• Requiring less than an hour from start to finish, these Italian wedding cookies are perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute dessert needs.
• Their beautiful powdered sugar coating and delicate texture make them a hit at gatherings, from family celebrations to elegant dinner parties.

Ingredients for Italian Wedding Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base and helps create soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Almonds: Adds nutty flavor and delicate crunch to the cookie.
• Flour: Serves as the primary structure and binding agent for the cookie.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, crisp texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies, creating a classic sweet and snowy appearance.

• Vanilla: Brings warm, sweet aromatic notes to complement the nutty almond flavor.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the cookie.

Kitchen Tools for Italian Wedding Cookies

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Food Processor: Perfect for grinding almonds finely with a bit of sugar.
• Baking Sheets: Sturdy sheets lined with parchment paper for even baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements are key to delicious cookies.
• Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.
• Small Bowl: For rolling cookies in powdered sugar.
• Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and scrape down mixer sides.

Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet Italian wedding cookies boast a delicate almond-infused charm that melts in your mouth. Powdered sugar coats these traditional treats, inviting guests to savor a delightful culinary moment from Naples.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Nuts:

• 5 ounces (142 grams) roasted salted almonds

Main Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• 5 tablespoons (63 grams) sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar for coating

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
2. Pulverize almonds with a small portion of sugar in a food processor until achieving a fine, uniform texture.
3. Cream butter with remaining sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until light and airy, approximately 3 minutes to develop a smooth consistency.
4. Gently incorporate flour and salt into the butter mixture, then fold in the ground almond mixture until thoroughly integrated.
5. Craft uniform cookie spheres approximately 3/4-inch in diameter, positioning them evenly spaced on prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake cookies for 22-26 minutes, ensuring gentle rotation midway through cooking to promote even golden-brown bottoms.
7. Allow cookies to rest for 3 minutes post-baking, then delicately enrobe warm cookies in a generous dusting of powdered sugar.
8. After cookies have completely cooled to room temperature, apply a second luxurious coating of powdered sugar for a classic finish.

Notes

• Customize Nut Selection Swap almonds with pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts for a unique flavor profile that matches personal preferences.
• Ensure Even Grinding Pulse nuts carefully to prevent turning them into paste, maintaining a fine, consistent texture for optimal cookie structure.
• Temperature Matters Work with room-temperature butter to achieve a smoother, fluffier dough that blends ingredients more evenly.
• Storage Hack Store cookies between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container to maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating and prevent crumbling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 179
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 25 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg