Authentic Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe: A Delicious Burst of Color and Flavor (2024)


Bring a touch of Italy into your kitchen this holiday Season with this delightful and delicious recipe for Italian Rainbow Cookies.

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Also known as Venetian or Tri-Color Cookies, these vibrant treats are a beloved staple of Italian-American bakeries. With their layers of almond sponge cake, raspberry jam, and chocolate coating, they are not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. We’ll guide you step by step through the process of creating these irresistible Italian Rainbow Cookies.

This recipe is part of The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap co-hosted by Erin of The Speckled Palate and Susannah of Feast + West. Every year, food bloggers get together to share new holiday cookie recipes to make and give.

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Ingredients for Italian Rainbow Cookies: Creating Layers of Flavor

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  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8 oz almond paste
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 eggs, separate yolks and whites
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon red food color
  • ½ teaspoon green food color
  • ½ cup raspberry jam
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
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Step-by-Step Preparation

Preheat oven to 325 and prepare 3 square baking pans with baking spray

In a large mixing bowl combine sugar, almond paste, and butter until smooth

Add in the egg yolks one at a time

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Mix in the milk and almond extract

Add in the flour mixing until combined then set mixture aside

In a separate bowl beat the egg whites to stiff peaks then fold into cake mixture

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Separate the mixture in equal amounts into 3 separate bowls

Add red food color to one bowl, green food color to another, and leave the 3rd bowl as is

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Place each batter in a separate prepared baking pan

Bake 10-12 minutes, cool completely

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Place the green cake on a plate and spread half of the jam on top

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Next place the regular colored cake on top and spread the remaining jam on top

Lastly, place the red cake on top

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Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring until smooth

Spread evenly on top of the chilled cake, use a fork to add texture and design if desired

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Chill for an additional 30 minutes until the chocolate is set

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Slice the rectangle into 1 inch squares

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Serve and enjoy!

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By following this recipe, you’ll be able to recreate the magic of traditional Italian Rainbow Cookies in your own kitchen. Prepare to impress your friends and family with these visually stunning and utterly delicious treats. Happy baking!

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Authentic Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe: A Delicious Burst of Color and Flavor (17)

Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe

Yield: 48

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

Learn how to make authentic Italian Rainbow Cookies with this step-by-step recipe. These vibrant and delicious treats feature layers of almond sponge cake, raspberry jam, and chocolate coating. Get ready to enjoy a burst of color and flavor!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8 oz almond paste
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 eggs, separate yolks and whites
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon red food color
  • ½ teaspoon green food color
  • ½ cup raspberry jam
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 and prepare 3 square baking pans with baking spray
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine sugar, almond paste, and butter until smooth
  3. Add in the egg yolks one at a time
  4. Mix in the milk and almond extract
  5. Add in the flour mixing until combined then set mixture aside
  6. In a separate bowl beat the egg whites to stiff peaks then fold into cake mixture
  7. Separate the mixture in equal amounts into 3 separate bowls
  8. Add red food color to one bowl, green food color to another, and leave the 3rd bowl as is
  9. Place each batter in a separate prepared baking pan
  10. Bake 10-12 minutes, cool completely
  11. Place the green cake on a plate and spread half of the jam on top
  12. Next place the regular colored cake on top and spread the remaining jam on top
  13. Lastly, place the red cake on top
  14. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours
  15. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring until smooth
  16. Spread evenly on top of the chilled cake, use a fork to add texture and design if desired
  17. Chill for an additional 30 minutes until the chocolate is set
  18. Slice the rectangle into 1 inch squares

Did you make this recipe?

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Authentic Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe: A Delicious Burst of Color and Flavor (2024)

FAQs

Do they eat rainbow cookies in Italy? ›

History of the Rainbow Cookie

Some argue Rainbow Cookies are a traditional holiday dessert found in bakeries throughout Italy—certainly almond-based pastries are commonplace. However, even if this is the case, they never were as ubiquitous as they are in the States.

What is the origin of the Italian rainbow cookie? ›

While you may not find rainbow cookies in Italy, it is authentically an Italian American creation. In the early 1900s, the recipe was created by Italian immigrants as a way to honor their country of origin.

What is the most popular Italian cookie? ›

Most Popular Italian Cookies
  • Amaretti. These lovely almond-flavoured biscotti were supposedly first made during the Middle Ages. ...
  • Ricciarelli. ...
  • Baci di dama. ...
  • Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti. ...
  • Savoiardi. ...
  • Canestrelli. ...
  • Biscotti al Cocco. ...
  • Pizzelle.
Oct 22, 2020

What do the colors of the rainbow cookie represent? ›

While they're known as rainbow cookies, the name is a bit of a misnomer. Rainbow cookies don't feature all the colors of the rainbow. Traditionally, they have just the three colors of the Italian flag. That has also earned them the nickname tri-color cookies, Italian Flag cookies, or Neapolitans.

What is the most eaten cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What is the best-selling cookie in Italy? ›

Italian Brand Cookies: The Best-Selling by Bell Italia Abroad
  • Authentic Italian Flavors: Pan Di Stelle Cookie Brand. ...
  • Italian Elegance: Di Leo Cookie Brand. ...
  • Galbusera: A Leading Tale in the World of Cookie Brands. ...
  • Balocco: A Sweet Success Story Among Top Cookie Brands. ...
  • Doria's Cookie Brands: The Bucaneve and Atene Selections.
Jan 6, 2024

What flour do Italians use for cookies? ›

For cookies, bars, cakes/cupcakes, biscuits, scones, or anything that needs a tender crumb, use Farina di grano tenero, 00. This is your “cake flour.” Nobody wants a chewy cake. For bread, I recommend starting off with Farina di Manitoba, grano tenero, 0; this is similar to standard American bread flour.

What cookie originated in Italy? ›

Cantucci – Biscotti Bliss

Cantucci, also known as biscotti, are delicious twice-baked almond cookies hailing from Tuscany. With their origin tracing back to the 16th-century city of Prato, these delightful treats have stood the test of time.

What is the oldest known cookie in the world? ›

Pizzelles are the oldest known cookie and originated in the mid-section of Italy. They were made many years ago for the “Festival of the Snakes” also known as the “Feast Day of San Domenico” in the village of Colcullo in the Italian region of Abruzzo.

What is the story of rainbow cookies? ›

Rainbow cookies originate in Italy, but Italian Americans added the color scheme to celebrate their heritage. The yellow layer used to be a white layer, so you'd have the Italian flag.

What are the seven lovely colors in the rainbow? ›

The colours of the rainbow or the rainbow order is the following – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

Is rainbow cookies a sativa or indica? ›

Rainbow Cookie, also known as “Rainbow Cookies,” is an indica marijuana strain made by crossing Sunset Sherbet and Animal Cookies. The effects of Rainbow Cookie are more calming than energizing. Consumers tell us this strain provides a dreamy high that makes them feel euphoric, happy, and hungry.

Are rainbow cookies a New York thing? ›

Yes, rainbow cookies, also known as tri-color cookies or Italian flag cookies, have a strong association with New York, particularly within Italian-American communities. Originally from Italy, these colorful cookies were embraced and popularized in New York City's Italian bakeries.

What is Italy cookie choices? ›

Italy Cookie Choices allows you to easily comply with the european cookie law (and Italian too), showing a notice to the user only the very first time he visits your website. Message, position and the style can be easily modified through the plugin menu.

What kind of cookies are in an Italian cookie tray? ›

Our Classic Italian assortment is a great way to sample of our traditional sweets. This tray includes Cranberry Almond Biscotti, Amaretto Biscotti with Almonds, Chocolate Almond Macaroons and Pignoli Cookies.

What are the colorful cookies in Paris? ›

These brightly-colored sandwich cookies line the windows of pâtisseries in Paris, and are often confused with the American coconut macaroon. No coconut. Instead, light meringue cookies made with almond flour and filled with ganache, curd or your favorite filling.

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