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Italian Knot Cookies Recipe

Tender, almost cake-like cookies with a bright lemony fragrance, dipped in tangy lemon icing and topped with colorful sprinkles. 
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 86
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookies
  • 3¾ cups all-purpose flour 450g
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter chopped coarsely (1 stick/115g)
  • ¼ cup whole milk 60ml
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar 150g
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • Finely grated zest of 1 large lemon or 1 tsp lemon extract
  • Pinch of salt
Lemon Icing
  • 2 cups powdered sugar 240g
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice 45ml
  • Colored sprinkles optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Rub the flour and butter together until crumbly, then mix in the eggs, milk, sugar, baking powder, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt to form a smooth dough.
  3. Wrap and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
  4. Divide the dough, roll into ropes, and shape into knots.
  5. Bake for 10–15 minutes until lightly golden, then cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice to make the icing.
  7. Dip the cooled cookies in the icing, add sprinkles if desired, and let set before serving.

Notes

Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg