The Perfect Recipe for Italian Easter Cookies

The Special Meaning Behind Italian Easter Cookies

Are you looking for a special Italian treat for your family this Easter holidays? Well, look no more because the Italian Easter Cookies are a tradition in about all families. For instance, families in South Italy gather on Good Friday to make the Easter cookies that are to be served on Easter morning. They have a unique meaning attached to them! 

Some eggs are placed on top of the cookies. They symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Usually, the dough will be doughnut-shaped, and the eggs put on it. The number of eggs will be determined by the person you are giving the cookie to. For instance, the more you like person, the more eggs there will be. 

Alternatively, you can prepare the cookies in forms like a bow, cross, twist, ribbon, or braid.

Braid Italian Easter Cookies - The Proud Italian

The History and Story of Italian Easter Cookies

Are you wondering what to prepare for your family during Easter? Try Italian Easter Cookies, and you will love them. The Italian Easter Cookies have their source in Southern Italy. If there is a place that values cookies in Italy, then it has to be the Southern region? The cookies are prepared in such a way that they are not too sweet.

What are Italian Easter Cookies?

The Italian Easter cookies are cookies that are simple to make, and unlike other types of cookies, they are not so sweet. They are prepared with an easy dough and lemon glaze as well. Included in the Italian Easter cookies recipes are the Italian Easter egg basket cookies.

What Does Uncinetti Mean, and Where do They Come From?

In Italian, Uncinetti means to crochet. They got that name because the Italians shape the cookie into a crocheted knot. These kinds of cookies are from Vibo in Valencia in Calabria. In most cases, they are made during Palm Sunday. Italian cookies are tasty, and Uncinetti is not an exception.

Italian Easter Bread - The Proud Italian

The Perfect Recipe for Italian Easter Cookies

Below, you will discover a simple recipe for how to prepare Italian Easter cookies. You can adjust the amount of the ingredients to suit your family’s needs. If you have a bigger family, you can increase the ingredients proportionately so as to prepare enough cookies for everyone. You will also love the fact that you can find all the ingredients from your local store. 

Serves: 12 Cookies

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

Cookies

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup ground sugar
  • 6 tablespoons melted and cooled butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Lemon Glaze

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
Italian Cookies stacked on each other, served on the plate - The Proud Italian

Procedures

Cookies

  1. Preheat the oven up to 150 degrees Celsius. After that, get a cookie sheet with a large surface and line it with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and lemon zest together in a large bowl. Make a hole in the middle and add milk, butter, and egg. Use a fork to mix them and then transfer them to a flat surface. Knead until you form a smooth dough. 
  3. Cut the dough into thin pieces that are ropes between 13-16cm (5-7 inches) . The strings need to be thin enough to form a knot. Alternatively, you can make small circles. After that, place them on the cookie sheet and bake them for about 15-18 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
  4. Let them cool, and then cover them with lemon glaze. If you like, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Enjoy them with a beverage of your choice!

Procedures

Lemon Glaze

1.Add powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Mix the ingredients together until you get the thickness that you desire. Spoon the lemon glaze on the cookies that are by then cooled. Let the glaze harden before serving it with your favorite drink.

Nutritional Value

  • Carbohydrates: 44g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Calories: 189
  • Saturated fat: 4g
  • Sodium: 65mg
  • Vitamin C: 1mg
  • Calcium: 39mg
  • Iron: 1mg
  • Vitamin A: 215IU
  • Cholesterol: 42mg
Italian cookies in a jar - The Proud Italian

Summary

As you can see from the instructions above, the uncinetti is very easy to prepare. As you prepare other Italian cookies during Easter, don’t forget the uncinetti. It is very nutritious too and good for your health since it is not too sugary. 

Moreover, its recipe uses simple ingredients that you can quickly find at a store nearby. Now that you understand a little bit about the history of Italian Cookies, you will enjoy them even more. Why not try it? Enjoy your Easter!

For more recipe goodness, why not read our article about “What is Risotto?” and try your hand at preparing it.