by carrie
Conquering Intimidating Dishes, Food + Entertaining
Don’t let this simple little Italian Wedding Cookie intimidate you.
They are easy to make and only require a few ingredients. The key to our family’s recipe is the unsalted European butter + a really good vanilla extract.
There is less water content in a European Style butter therefore it has more flavor.
I use this recipe for Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Christmas Parties, New Years Eve, and I also wrap them up as gifts at Christmas and deliver them to friends and family.
Note: These cookies store well and freeze well.
Servings: About 35 Cookies
Ingredients
1 1/2 Cups of Unsalted European Butter (I like to use Plugra 82% butter fat, awesome for baking!)
3/4 Cup of Confectioners’ Sugar (powder sugar)
1 1/2 Cups of Ground Almonds
5 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
3 Cups of Sifted All Purpose Flour
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
1/3 Cup of Confectioners’ Sugar for rolling (powder sugar)
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C)
2. Cream the butter in a bowl and gradually add the powder sugar, and salt.
3. Beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add the almonds and vanilla extract and blend.
5. Next add the flour and mix all together.
6. Shape into balls or what ever design you need. I use a spoon scoop out the amount I need to keep it all the same size.
7. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Let them cool and then roll them in the powder sugar and they are done!
Source: Provenzano Family Recipe
Cassandra
Where can you find European butter?
This recipe sounds so yummy, definitely want to make it.
carrie
Cassandra, I’ve found the brand Plugra at HEB, Kroger and Wholefoods. I’ve also seen some domestic brands with the phrase “European Style Butter” that you could if you can’t find Plugra. I hope this helps!
Sue
I do not bake much but want to make these for a bridal shower. How do you cream butter????
carrie
@Sue – To cream butter you take the butter at room temperature and add the amount of sugar in the recipe.
Use a hand mixer and start to beat the mixture. At first, it will be sandy but as you continue mixing it will become an off white color. Once it turns the off white pale color the butter is creamed.