Zesty Italian Lemon Twists
Delight in these scrumptious Zesty Italian Lemon Twists, perfect for festive occasions and holiday gatherings. These charming cookies, embellished with a sweet citrus glaze and colorful sprinkles, can be shaped into delightful loops or other creative designs. With a tender texture and a bright lemon flavor, these cookies are a wonderful treat to share with family and friends, evoking the warmth of Italian baking traditions. Each bite offers a refreshing burst of citrus that will surely brighten your day!
48
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
3 1/2 cups (sifted)
baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons (sifted)
large eggs
3 (beaten)
sugar
1/2 cup (granulated)
butter
4 ounces (softened)
lemon
1 (zest grated)
whole milk
1/2 cup (at room temperature)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (pure)
powdered sugar
2 cups (sifted)
orange juice
3/4 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
colored candy sprinkles
as desired (for decoration)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
2
In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder; set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and lemon-colored, using an electric mixer on medium speed.
4
Add the softened butter and grated lemon zest to the egg mixture, and continue to beat until well combined.
5
Gradually incorporate the sifted flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until combined.
6
Slowly add the milk and vanilla extract, mixing until the dough is soft but not sticky.
7
Divide the dough into six equal sections. Roll each section into a rope about 1/2 inch wide.
8
Cut the rolled ropes into 3-inch pieces. Twist each piece to form a loop or your desired shape.
9
Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are light golden brown.
11
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
12
In a small bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar with freshly squeezed orange juice, mixing until you achieve a thin icing consistency.
13
Brush the icing on top of the cooled cookies and generously sprinkle with colored candy sprinkles.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this cookie recipe?
The recipe is for Zesty Italian Lemon Twists.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 48 cookies.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How much flour is required for the dough?
You will need 3 1/2 cups of sifted flour.
How much baking powder should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 teaspoons of sifted baking powder.
How many eggs are needed?
You need 3 large eggs, beaten.
What type of sugar is used in the dough?
The dough uses 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
Should the butter be melted or softened?
The recipe specifies using 4 ounces of softened butter.
What provides the lemon flavor in the cookies?
The flavor comes from the grated zest of one lemon.
How much milk is included in the ingredients?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of whole milk at room temperature.
What type of vanilla extract is recommended?
The recipe suggests 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
How do I prepare the dry ingredients?
Sift together the flour and baking powder in a small bowl before setting them aside.
How should I mix the eggs and sugar?
Beat them using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and lemon-colored.
When do I add the butter and lemon zest?
Add them to the egg mixture after the eggs and sugar have been beaten, then continue to beat until well combined.
Is the milk added all at once?
The milk and vanilla extract should be added slowly, mixing until the dough is soft but not sticky.
How should I divide the dough for shaping?
Divide the dough into six equal sections.
How thick should the dough ropes be?
Each section should be rolled into a rope about 1/2 inch wide.
What length should the cut dough pieces be?
Cut the rolled ropes into 3-inch pieces.
How do I shape the cookies?
Twist each piece to form a loop or your desired shape.
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Prepare the baking sheet by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.
How can I tell if the cookies are done?
The cookies are done when the bottoms are light golden brown.
Where should the cookies cool?
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
What are the ingredients for the icing?
The icing consists of 2 cups of sifted powdered sugar and 3/4 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice.
What should the consistency of the icing be?
Mix the icing ingredients until you achieve a thin icing consistency.
How do I apply the icing?
Brush the icing on top of the cooled cookies.
What decorations are used for these cookies?
Generously sprinkle the iced cookies with colored candy sprinkles.
What is the texture of these cookies?
The cookies have a tender texture with a bright lemon flavor.
For what occasions are these cookies suitable?
They are perfect for festive occasions, holiday gatherings, and parties.
Can I change the shape of the cookies?
Yes, while loops are suggested, you can form them into any desired creative design.