Italian lemon drop cookies, or Anginetti, are delightful soft lemon-flavored cookies with a sweet glaze. Here’s a recipe to make these delicious treats:
Ingredients for Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Colored sprinkles or nonpareils for decoration (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined. Then mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough and roll it into balls. Place the balls of dough on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze or drizzle the glaze over them using a spoon. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes.
- Optionally, decorate the glazed cookies with colored sprinkles or nonpareils while the glaze is still wet.
These Italian lemon drop cookies are wonderfully soft and bursting with citrus flavor. They make a delightful treat for any occasion or as a sweet addition to a dessert platter.
