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These Italian Butter Cookies are a delectable holiday treat. Rich and buttery, their delicate texture melts in your mouth. The sweet jam filling adds an extra layer of flavor, while the chocolate coating adds a smooth and creamy finish. So delicious, one bite won't be enough!
To pair alongside these Italian Butter Cookies, you might consider fresh seasonal fruit, a light and creamy custard – such as our Creamy Rum Rice Pudding or a scoop of rich and creamy No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream. For a festive twist, you could also serve a variety of sweet jams and preserves for guests to spread on their cookies - allowing them to mix and match with the jam filling!
Now, without further delay, let’s bake some cookies!
Ingredient Checklist
- Shortening. I’m using vegetable shortening. Yes, this is in addition to the butter.
- Butter. The ‘workhorse ingredient’ of most baked goods. Butter adds flavor and richness. In cookies, it helps to create a ‘tender texture,’ while browning and crisping the exterior. It also works to keep them moist.
- Sugar. Plain granulated sugar is all you’re looking for here.
- Eggs. These are a binding agent, as they help to hold ingredients together. Additionally, eggs help to add structure, texture, and flavor to baked goods. Curiously, eggs play a secondary role as a leavening agent by providing ‘lift’ as the cookies bake. The more you know.
- Vanilla. I’m using vanilla extra, but pods or paste will work just fine. These substitute at a one-to-on ratio by volume.
- Flour. I’m using all-purpose, simply because we want these cookies to be slightly ‘heavier.’ Baking Flour would result in a markedly light, less dense cookie.
- Baking Powder. This is a two-phase leavening agent, and the recipe simply doesn’t work without it.
- Salt. Plain table salt is all you’re looking for.
- Sprinkles. Mostly for eye appeal, but these do add a nice crunch.
- Powdered Sugar. Again, mostly for eye appeal.
- Dark Chocolate. For making the chocolate coating.
- Raspberry Jam. Your choice of jam filling. I’m raspberry since I find the slightly ‘tart’ flavor contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the cookies.
Jam vs Preserves vs Jelly – Which to Use for Cookies?
I strongly suggest jam or preserves, and here's why.
To start, jam is made from fruit and sugar that is cooked until thickened, while preserves are made from whole or large pieces of fruit, cooked with sugar and set into a thick, jelly-like consistency. By contrast, jelly is made from fruit juice, sugar and pectin, which is cooked and then set into a jelly-like consistency.
That structural difference is why I suggest using jam or preserves. Jelly is looser and contains more water. As such, both jam and preserves will solidify better between the cookies, leaking far less – and melting much less if you decide to assemble the cookies while they are still warm. I also find that the chunks of fruit add a nice texture contrast to the cookies.
Seven Tips for Baking These (Or Any!) Cookies
- Make sure to use room temperature butter for soft, chewy cookies.
- Measure your ingredients accurately for consistent results. Inaccurate, or poorly scaled measurements can result in ‘baking catastrophes’ – such as cakes that refuse to rise, or poorly textured cookies.
- Chill the cookie dough before baking for a thicker, chewier cookie.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for even baking. This reduces ‘hotspots’ on the baking sheet, and ensures the cookies don’t stick.
- Use an ice cream scooper (or a leveled tablespoon) to get evenly sized cookies. Evenly sized cookies ensures even baking throughout the entire batch.
- Don't overbake the cookies. Cookies should still be quite ‘soft’ when removed from the oven, and then removed ‘immediately’ from the baking sheet (as the sheet will continue baking them even outside of the oven).
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Italian Butter Cookies (Bakery Style)
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star
5 from 17 reviews
- Author: Living the Gourmet
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
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Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 1 recipe for butter cookies (see below)
- 2 cups Raspberry Jam (can be substituted with Strawberry Jam)
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips melted down with 3 tablespoons heavy cream, for dipping
- Rainbow Sprinkles
- Powder Sugar for dusting
For the butter cookies:
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 3 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3 cups AP flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixed fixed with paddle attachment, cream shortening, butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add vanilla and mix well.
- Finally, add the dry ingredients and beat until a soft, sticky dough comes together. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare a pastry bag fitted with a star-shaped tip and fill with the cookie dough. Pipe your cookies about 2-inches long and 1-inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
Assembly:
- Prepare your assembly by lining two baking sheets with wax paper and pour rainbow sprinkles in a shallow dish or bowl. Alternatively if you like you can also dip your cookies in chocolate sprinkles, chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds. I chose to stick to the traditional rainbow sprinkles, reminiscent to those you find at the Italian bakery.
- In a double-boiler, melt down dark chocolate chips with 3 tablespoons heavy cream. Stir until the chocolate has melted down completely and is smooth.
- Spread desired jam on one cookie (about ½ teaspoon), sandwich with another cookie then dip in the chocolate and then the rainbow sprinkles. You should get about 2 dozen cookies out of this. For the finishing touch, sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
Recipe Card powered by
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Reader Interactions
Comments
angiesrecipes says
They look wonderfully delicious and so very festive! Love it!
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Annette, 3 Little Buttons says
Yum! Those look wonderful. I hadn’t realised that you should sandwich them together with jam. The sprinkles make them look extra Christmasy 🎄
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Stacie says
Those look so good! Butter cookies are always a win, but when you throw chocolate on them. Well, don't get between me and those cookies.
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DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, In general, I'm not a huge fan of Italian desserts or pastries. I guess it comes down to what a person grew up with... In any case, I do love these butter cookies, easily in my list of the top 3 or 4 Italian sweet treats. Plus they're pretty too! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
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Sherri says
We always used to get these Italian cookies when I was a kid at our local bakery! Yours are simply gorgeous and are tempting me to try my hand at making them myself! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
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Pavani says
Those Italian butter cookies look so festive and perfect for the holidays. Love the jam filling and the chocolate on top with sprinkles - makes them so inviting.
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Byron Thomas says
These butter cookies sound like a treat to make! I love the idea of combining the sandwich cookie with jam and chocolate! These are now on my Christmas "To Bake" list. Thank you!
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Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog says
These look absolutely scrumptious and we like the idea of gooey jam in them! Would be nice with raspberry and white chocolate too x
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Sara says
These look delicious and would also brighten up my kitchen on display in our cookie jar! Can't wait to make these with the kids.
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Philip says
These sound so good and your pictures really make me want to eat some of them right now!
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Katie says
Pretty and delicious! We are having a Christmas party so I'm looking for creative ideas to make. I love the colorful sprinkles.
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Jeannette says
These cookies bring the holiday season to life! i have seen holiday cookies like this from the store, but never thought to actually make them myself! I would totally do the red and green ONLY for Christmas since I am a Christmas FREAK! Thank for the step-by-step instructions!
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Terri Steffes says
These are one of my favorite cookies yet I have never made them homemade. I need to give them a try.
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Tracy says
That sounds like the perfect first job! How fun and delicious! I love these kind of cookies - the butterier the better and with just the right amount of chocolate!
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Preet says
This looks delightful and tasty. My kids would absolutely love this. I have to try making this.
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Claudia Lamascolo says
You have inspired me to make these beautiful cookies. We always saw them on wedding trays here and then I actually about them and how much I loved them until now! What a great job you did Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year to come to all you and your! xo
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Jyothi (Jo) says
Those cookies look soo good! So festive, and those sprinkles definitely gives the festive looks. Perfect for Christmas cookie exchange
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Yeah Lifestyle says
OMG these cookies look so pretty and I am sure they would have tasted so yummy as well. I love Nielsen-Massey and use only their Pure Vanilla Extract as well in my baking.
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Christa says
I love these cookies! My grandmother used to make them, th way remind me of her. I’ve never made them myself. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
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Shar says
Oh my goodness how pretty and perfect are these?! I love the sprinkles... everything is better with sprinkles right?? Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe 🙂
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Surekha Busa says
Wow, that looks so yummy! I even took a screenshots of the recipe for future purposes. When i saved enough money to buy myself a oven. This will be one of my first things that i will bake. Love it.
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Samantha says
These look so yummy! I’ve had the pre-made ones that come in holiday cookie tins. These would make great gifts.
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Vanessa Delia says
I love how experiences from our childhood carryover into our adult lives. No wonder your cookies look so beautiful and professional. Thanks for sharing how to make them.
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Romy says
These look so pretty! These cookies are totally perfect for gift giving too
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Krista Price says
Italian butter cookies bring back such nostalgic memories for me. My great grandmother would always have a stash of them for my brothers and me whenever we would visit. It's been years since I've enjoyed one, but now that I've stumbled upon your recipe that's going to change. I'm doing a massive cookie bake this weekend and these are definitely being added to the recipe list! 🙂
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Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says
Those extracts look amazing - and I love how you used them to infuse the cookies with so much flavour. Great work, especially around this time with the holidays.
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Adriana Lopez Martin says
Wow, these cookies are just perfection I bet those melt in your mouth. Italian cookies are my favorite a friend of mine bakes them every year, and I am lucky to get some from her as a present.
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Tayler Ross says
These cookies are gorgeous! Could even dip in red and green sprinkles for the holidays!
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Allison says
Cookies with jam and chocolate and sprinkles?! Does it get any better?! I can't wait to make these this holiday season.
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Justyna Butler says
These Italian Butter Cookies look so yummy! I so need one like right now!
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Gloria says
I love tasting cookies from around the world. These are super pretty. They sound sort of shortbread-like, and our whole family devours those during the holidays.
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Courtney says
Omg can we say yum?!? I just love cookies!!!! One of my favorite treats!!! Must give this recipe a try!!!
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Kiki Johnson says
Along with German Christmas cookies, Italian Christmas baking is my favorite! I love how simple ingredients shine in Italian cooking and baking and these cookies must taste like a burst of butter and vanilla! YUM! Love photography as well!
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Michelle says
Oh, these are just the cutest little treats! So festive, I'll have to try these I know my family will love them x
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Anne Murphy says
Excellent! The parents have missed their Italian Cookies ever since they left New York - maybe I can make some for them! (And as far as Mom is concerned, everything is better with chocolate... )
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Veronika's Kitchen says
Italian butter cookies are one of my favorites! So much flavor and quite easy to make) Going to make them again next week!
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Loreto Nardelli says
These cookies are adorable. I totally understand the respect for the Italuan traditions. I am Italian and know how prod we are of our recipes. You gave definately captured the essence of our passion in this dessert. I too know that rule not too sweet and not to heavy!
Nice post!
Cheers!Reply
Nicolas Hortense says
These cookies look absolutely delightful! Simple and wonderful! (:
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Marisa Franca says
I think I would have preferred to work in a bakery than a cookie factory. The only thing I did is work in an assembly line packaging different kinds of cookies. Nothing as fancy as Italian cookies. How wonderful that you had your grandparents and parents around you growing up. When we came to this country it was just our small family and no other Italians around. It was tough, especially for my folks. I would have loved to learn how to make some of these delicacies. I'm dying to try out the butter cookies.
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Charity says
How lucky for you to have that experience as a kid. It's really great that you get to share these cookie traditions with your loved ones!
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Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Yum, these cookies look delicious and so festive! They would be perfect for a holiday bake-off! Can't wait to try these soon.
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Leslie Haasch says
Italian butter cookies are one of those desserts I just don't think to make, but when someone else does I'm always raving about how good they are and how I should make them! [facepalm] No more excuses, totally trying this!
MJ Camm says
I would like to try to make this recipe. Looks delicious! Just double-checking-use almond or vanilla extract?? The article talks about both.
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Living the Gourmet says
Hey there! Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting. For this recipe use vanilla extract! 🙂 If you have any other questions reach out any time! Enjoy!
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Olga says
This looks tasty! These are absolutely mouth watering! It will quickly disappear in our house, very tasty and flavorful!
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j says
I know, I know people hate when someone changes the original recipe but...can you use salted butter instead of unsalted. Just cut down on the salt??
Thank youReply
Living the Gourmet says
Hi J, thank you so much for reaching out. Unsalted butter is one thing I would not swap out in this recipe only because it may make the cookies too salty. The reason we use unsalted butter when baking/cooking is so we can control how much salt goes into the food. So if you can, try to use unsalted. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you give the recipe a try!
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Joyce says
Can these be made ahead and frozen?
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Living the Gourmet says
Dear Joyce, Thanks so much for visiting! I haven't tried freezing them but I don't think there should be a problem with doing so. Just let them thaw in the refrigerator when you are ready to defrost. Enjoy!
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Chef Dennis says
I've always loved Italian food. And this Italian Butter Cookies recipe is not an exception. I love that this is soft and buttery. I will definitely serve this to my family.
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Tara says
Love learning about different cultures and how they celebrate with food - thank you for sharing your memories. You totally had me at butter, chocolate and sprinkles! I bet these are going to melt in my mouth.
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Analida Braeger says
Thanks for all the great tips and the variety of options with nuts, sprinkles and extra chocolate! My family loved these!
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Veronika says
Oh, these are my favorite cookies! I want a whole batch of them with a cup of tea right now!)
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Marisa F. Stewart says
Those cookies look so good and buttery. I can almost feel them melting in my mouth. I love how you decorated them - and the jam sandwiched in-between, so pretty. I bet they disappear quickly on a cookie tray. I've already pinned the recipe to make next year for Christmas.
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Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
I was literally just talking with my Mother in law about Italian butter cookies! Marrying into an Italian family the "regular" anise/almond Italian cookies I am not a fan on but these ones - the butter cookies are incredible!
I love the fact that you made them as a sandwich cookie and then dipped in chocolate! I can't wait to try these!
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kita says
These cookies so remind me of my grandparents! They always had them out on the table - like magic - whenever I came to visit. I love that you have dipped them in chocolate and filled them with jam too! Thank you so much for the delicious memory.
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uma says
perfect holiday cookies. Looks delicious with chocolate dipping in. My kid's favorite cookies of the season.
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Jo says
Cookies can't get better than this. Simple butter cookies dipped in chocolate and sprinkles is real treat. So good!
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Lauren says
Hi, in the story part of the recipe it says chill dough for two hours but then in the actual recipe at step 3 it says 20 minutes. I made these and only chilled the dough for 20 minutes and my cookies spread into very large circles. Could it because because the chilling time is actually 2 hours? Or maybe I didn’t beat the wet ingredients until fluffy enough? Thank you.
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Living the Gourmet says
Dear Lauren, Thank you for reaching out! I would say the dough can be left to chill for at least 20 minutes or up to a couple hours. I've made these cookies a few times already so from experience I will say make sure you've beaten the butter and sugar really well before adding the eggs and extract. It should be smooth and fluffy. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have! Thanks for stopping by and if you have any more questions, let me know!
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Carmela says
Can the cookies be filled with the same chocolate used for dipping? Would any adjustments need to be made or just melt the chocolate and fill?
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Living the Gourmet says
Hi Carmela, They can definitely be filled with the same chocolate they are dipped in 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by. Enjoy!
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caitriona says
Did anybody actually make this recipe? Every star "review" has a comment that they "look good" nothing about how the cookies actually come out.
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Claudia1 Lamascolo says
You missed your calling not opening up your own bakery, these are so beautiful as you are my friend... so talented. May you and your family have a blessed and healthy holiday. Buon Natale Ciao Bella
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Beth says
There is no butter cookie than an Italian butter cookie. I really believe that. They are my favorite, and I love this festive take on them!
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Whitney Stewart says
Apparently I live under a rock; because I’ve never eaten Italian butter cookies before! I must rectify this immediately! Because look and sound amazing! Thank you so much for share this recipe with us!
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Jupiter Hadley says
My grandmother always made these cookies at Christmas time, though she never added sprinkles! What a lovely and colorful idea - thank you for sharing.
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Yeah Lifestyle says
My children love to make cookies, so we tried this out and had great fun making them, they tasted amazing.
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Indu Indra says
Another butter cookies to pamper my taste buds. Have to try this Italian treat.
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Linda says
Butter cookies are one of our favorite cookies to bake especially around Christmas time. They are also a tradition in our family. I love the idea of making them into sandwich cookies with pretty red strawberry preserves and, of course, cookies are always better with chocolate. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Melissa Cushing says
I pinned this recipe to make for my daughter. These are her favorite kinds of cookies and I fill them with a Raspberry jam... so good!
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Lisa says
I’ve not come across this type of biscotti here in Italy, but they look delicious. They look buttery and crunchy.
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Bernice says
I just want to reach into the screen and grab one! These cookies look amazing, like they are melt in your mouth buttery. If they have jam, does it count as breakfast?
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Amy Liu Dong says
I love how easy and tasty this recipe is. Every kid will definitely love these!
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Melanie E says
I love these, they are such yummy cookies and look great too. I'm glad I saw this as I want to try making them over Christmas.
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Kathryn says
These are my new go-to butter cookies! Tried them for the first time this year and I was hooked. Love dipping them in chocolate and sprinkles!
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Luna S says
These are making my mouth water, I look this type of cookie and the addition of the little bit of chocolate + sprinkles is fantastic.
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NancyC says
Yum—I love butter cookies! These are so pretty! 🙂
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Elizabeth Williams says
These Italian butter cookies look very appetizing and festive. I love the addition of the colourful sprinkles on the chocolate.
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Jasmine Martin says
I never knew Italian butter cookies were a thing, but they look scrumptious! I am definitely going to have to try these soon.
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Khushboo says
These cookies look so delicious and yummy to eat. You share some amazing recipes.
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Jacqueline Debono says
I love jam filled butter cookies but have never made them myself. This recipe looks quite eay and I love the chocolate and sprinkles. It givs the cookies a festive look!
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Amanda Mason says
Easy recipe and these turned out so good! Made them for our Christmas party tonight and I've already eaten 3!!
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Elaine says
Love these cookies so much! They are so delicious and are an absolute breeze to make!
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Veronika says
These cookies were tender, buttery, and so delicious! Definitely saving this recipe for next Christmas too!
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Lisa says
These cookies are so good! They remind me of the ones from the bakery near the house where I grew up!
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Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Such a classic recipe that is perfect for the holidays! We absolutely love these! Mine are always chocolate dipped and his are chocolate and sprinkles!
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Cecelia says
I made these and they taste delicious, however, they lost all of the definition from the star shape. I refrigerated the batter. Any ideas what went wrong?
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