FROSTED ITALIAN COOKIES

Frosted Italian cookies are made with simple, wholesome ingredients—eggs, oil, milk, sugar, and a touch of vanilla and almond extract. Rolled into balls, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a sweet glaze and colorful sprinkles—perfect for any occasion!

These Italian cookies come from my grandmother— they will always be “her cookies” to me. She was a master at shaping them, though I usually take the easy route and make little balls. They’ve always graced our family gatherings and holidays, and now I’m passing the tradition to my kids—and to you!

Recipe Highlights

• Full of Family Flavor: Classic almond and vanilla taste straight from grandma’s kitchen—pure nostalgia in every bite!
• Fun to Decorate: Roll, glaze, and sprinkle—these cookies are as playful as they are delicious.
• Soft & Perfectly Tender: Chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Ingredients for Italian Vanilla Cookies

Eggs- 4 eggs provide structure, moisture, and help bind the dough together.

Oil- Adding oil keeps the cookies tender and gives them a soft, rich texture.

Extracts- 1 tsp each vanilla and almond extract add sweet, nutty, and aromatic flavor that defines the cookies.

Milk- Use milk to add moisture and helps create a smooth, pliable dough.

Sugar- 1 cup of sugar sweetens the cookies and contributes to a light, slightly crisp exterior.

Flour- Flour forms the structure of the cookies and ensures they hold their shape.

Baking powder- 4 tsp baking powder helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them light and tender.

Vanilla Glaze- Combining 1 cup powder sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, a splash of milk, and food coloring (if desired), creates a glossy finish that can be customized with colorful sprinkles for decoration.

How long are Italian cookies good for?

Italian cookies, once baked and cooled, will stay fresh for about 1–2 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them for up to three weeks, though they may dry out slightly.

Can you freeze these Italian Sprinkle Cookies?

Yes, you can freeze these cookies for a longer storage solution. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 1 hour before transferring to a Ziploc bag. You may also want to keep the cookies layered with parchment paper once in the bag to prevent the icing from sticking the cookies together. (Or wait to ice them later on, after you thaw them out, before serving.)

Can I shape these cookies differently than balls?

Absolutely! While rolling into balls is easy, the dough can also be shaped into traditional Italian cookie forms, like crescents, twists, or braids.

Why does the recipe call for 5–6 cups of flour?

The dough should be firm but not sticky. Start with 5 cups, chill the dough, and add more flour if needed to make shaping easier.

How thick should the glaze be?

The glaze should be runny enough to spread but thick enough to coat the cookies evenly without dripping off.

Why are my cookies cracking or spreading too much?

This usually means the dough was too warm or too soft—chilling it first helps maintain shape and prevent spreading.

Try more of our favorite Sugar Cookie recipes here:

• Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies are made with fresh lemon juice and zest, piped into pretty rosettes, and topped with a simple glaze for a treat that tastes as good as it looks.
• Soft, pillowy sugar cookies loaded with real strawberry flavor and topped with dreamy strawberry buttercream—these Frosted Strawberry Cookies are as irresistible as they are gorgeous!
• Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars with a bright, tangy lemon glaze—easy to make and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!).
• These Super Soft Sugar Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth perfection! Made with classic ingredients, they’re easy to bake and guaranteed to become your new go-to favorite.
• Bite-sized bliss! These Cherry Cheesecake Cookies are packed with creamy cheesecake flavor, topped with sweet cherry pie filling and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs for the ultimate indulgent treat.
• Bursting with fresh flavor, these Blueberry Cream Cookies mix juicy blueberries and white chocolate chips into a tender vanilla pudding cookie dough for the ultimate sweet treat.

These Frosted Italian Cookies are rolled into balls, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a sweet glaze and colorful sprinkles—perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you need a sweet treat.