Italian Cookie Recipes

So here is the deal. I like to bake cookies every year for Christmas, but last week I visited Minelli Bros. at their new location in the Oak Mil Mall in Niles and I had some of their bakery cookies. I have no idea if they make them there or if they are from another bakery. One of the best ones were these buttery star shaped ones with sprinkles. I wish there was a conveyor belt of them going into my mouth! I purchased a cookie press last year but I haven't tried it yet, so I am sure I could make the shape. I just need a good recipe!

Help?

Bumping your own thread must mean this is urgent.
Have you thought about any of the recipes here?

Jeanne-

I could be wrong here, but in my 30+ years experience of eating Italian cookies, store-bought and homemade, I find that the cookie base is the same, whether it's molded into stars, swirls, or dipped in chocolate. I find that the taste of the cookie is vastly improved if fresh, so perhaps that's why your experience was so revelatory?

I'd find a classic Italian cookie recipe, try it, and work from there.

Good luck.

I was hoping that someone has had the butter sprinkle stars at Minellis so they would know what I am talking about.

JeanneBean - I have not had the cookies from Minelli, but I will have to check them out next time I am in the area. I did come across this blog, and hope that it might be of some help to you. Or perhaps the cookbook that she refers to might be a good reference for you. Good luck.

OK so I found a recipe in the Taste of Home cookbook and I was about to try it out with this "as seen on TV" cookie press I bought last year. Let's just say I had to throw it out because it was impossible to use. And I am not the only one who tried it! I am now currently waiting for my new (used) electric cookie press (circa 1982). I will share my tale of how they turn out.

JeanneBean wrote:OK so I found a recipe in the Taste of Home cookbook and I was about to try it out with this "as seen on TV" cookie press I bought last year. Let's just say I had to throw it out because it was impossible to use. And I am not the only one who tried it! I am now currently waiting for my new (used) electric cookie press (circa 1982). I will share my tale of how they turn out.

an electric cookie press? interesting! You'll have to let us know how that work outs. I bought mine at Crate & Barrel a few years ago when I was working there part time for extra holiday cash. It works well as long as the cookie dough isn't too cold. Now, their cookie press comes with a plate that has a cute little pumpkin shape. I wish mine had that shape!