Harlequin cookies

Harlequin cookies are colorful and cheerful treats that remind of the multicolored costume of Harlequin, a character from Commedia dell’Arte. Here is the recipe with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 150 g of all-purpose flour
• 100 g of sugar
• 50 g of soft butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• Colored sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration

Preparation

1. In a bowl, mix the soft butter with sugar until you get a smooth cream.
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract and continue mixing.
3. In another bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder and a pinch of salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough.
5. Form balls of dough about 2 cm in diameter.
6. Roll the balls in the colored sprinkles or sugar to cover them completely.
7. Arrange the balls on a baking tray lined with baking paper, leaving a little space between each cookie.
8. Slightly flatten the balls to give the cookies a more flattened shape.
9. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 10-15 minutes or until the edges just start to brown.
10. Let the cookies cool on a rack before serving.

Curiosity

In Italy, Harlequin cookies are especially loved during the Carnival period, but they are delicious all year round. Their liveliness also makes them perfect for children’s parties and to add a touch of cheerfulness to the table.