Authentic Italian Knot Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 0.5 cup margarine
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon almond extract
• 6 large eggs
• 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk, or more as needed
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon colored sugar or festive sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a large bowl, cream together sugar, butter, margarine, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing briefly after each addition to ensure a well-combined batter.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed ingredients, one cup at a time, mixing until a dough begins to form. If needed, use your hands to bring the dough together. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead gently until smooth and slightly sticky, but not adhering to your hands. Allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes.
4. Take small portions of dough and roll each into a rope shape. Carefully bring one end of the rope towards the middle, followed by the other end, allowing them to slightly overlap. Repeat this process to form all remaining cookies and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven in batches until the bottoms turn a light golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to cool slightly.
6. While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing confectioners' sugar, milk, and lemon juice in a small bowl until you achieve a thin, drizzling consistency.
7. Dip the warm cookies into the prepared glaze, then sprinkle with sugar or decorative sprinkles, if desired. Place the glazed cookies on waxed paper or a cooling rack to allow the glaze to set completely.

Nutrition

• Calories: 91 kcal
• Fat Content: 4 g
• Fiber Content: 0 g
• Sugar Content: 5 g
• Sodium Content: 53 mg
• Protein Content: 2 g
• Cholesterol Content: 23 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 13 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g