Jolly Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Delightful italian christmas cookies transport memories of cozy holiday gatherings with loved ones.

Grandmothers carefully crafted these sweet treats passed down through generations.

Delicate and powdery, these traditional delicacies melt in your mouth with each tender bite.

Rich with almond and vanilla notes, the cookies whisper stories of festive kitchens.

Soft and crumbly textures invite warm nostalgia from childhood celebrations.

Family recipes like this connect us to cherished cultural traditions.

You can recreate these magical moments with simple ingredients and a sprinkle of love.

Bake these cookies and watch magic unfold in your kitchen.

What Makes Italian Christmas Cookies So Festive And Delicious

• Craft Festive Delights: Create a classic Italian holiday treat that brings family and friends together with its sweet, nostalgic flavor.
• Master Simple Baking: Enjoy a straightforward recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, requiring just basic ingredients and minimal kitchen expertise.
• Celebrate Tradition: Recreate a beloved cultural recipe that connects you to Italian holiday traditions, making special memories with every batch of cookies.
• Customize with Fun: Personalize these cookies by experimenting with different sprinkle colors and decorating styles, making them unique for any celebration.

Ingredients For Italian Christmas Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides a smooth texture and delicate flavor to the cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, delicate cookie.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure.
• Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the foundation of the cookie dough.

• Milk, Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Enhance the flavor profile and provide moisture to the cookie dough.

• Powdered Sugar, Water, Sprinkles: Create a sweet, decorative icing that adds a festive touch to the Italian Christmas cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and airy.

How To Prepare Italian Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Get your baking space ready for some festive cookie magic.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and whip butter and sugar together until they become light and fluffy. Crack in the eggs, then splash in vanilla and almond extract. Mix everything until it’s beautifully blended and smooth.

Step 3: Form the Dough

Slowly incorporate flour and baking powder into your creamy mixture. Pour in milk gradually, stirring continuously until a soft, pliable dough emerges. The consistency should be just right – not too sticky, not too dry.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Roll the dough into adorable little balls using your palms. Gently place each cookie onto the prepared baking sheet, giving them a bit of breathing room. Slide the sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You want them set but not turning golden brown.

Step 5: Dress Up Your Cookies

Whip up a quick glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a splash of water until it reaches a silky, smooth consistency. Dunk each cooled cookie into the icing, then sprinkle with colorful festive decorations. Let them dry and get ready to enjoy your Italian Christmas treat!

Pro Tips For Baking Italian Christmas Cookies

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing.
• Prevent Tough Cookies: Mix dry ingredients gently and avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender and delicate.
• Control Cookie Size: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform, evenly-baked cookies that look professional.
• Add Festive Flair: Experiment with different colored sprinkles or crushed nuts to match holiday themes and personal preferences.
• Quick Icing Trick: Add a drop of almond extract to the powdered sugar glaze for extra flavor that complements the cookie's taste.

Tasty Variations Of Italian Christmas Cookies

• Gluten-Free Delight: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Ensure baking powder is gluten-free.
• Lemon Zest Variation: Replace almond extract with fresh lemon zest for a bright, citrusy flavor. Add lemon juice to the icing for extra tang.
• Chocolate Chip Cookies: Fold in mini chocolate chips to the dough before baking. Drizzle melted dark chocolate over iced cookies for extra richness.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based butter and almond milk. Replace eggs with mashed banana or commercial egg replacer for a vegan-friendly treat.

Perfect Pairings For Italian Christmas Cookies

• Pair with Rich Italian Espresso: Complement the sweet, delicate cookies with a bold, robust espresso that cuts through the sugary icing and provides a perfect contrast.
• Create a Festive Wine Match: Select a sweet Moscato d'Asti from Italy, which echoes the cookie's almond and vanilla notes while adding a light, sparkling celebration to your dessert experience.
• Enhance with Creamy Amaretto Liqueur: Drizzle a small glass of smooth amaretto alongside the cookies, amplifying the almond extract flavor and creating a luxurious holiday dessert moment.
• Serve with Warm Vanilla Milk: Prepare a comforting mug of steamed milk with a touch of vanilla, offering a gentle, nostalgic companion that softens the cookie's crisp texture.

How To Keep Italian Christmas Cookies Fresh

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper separating each layer. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore softness. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.
• Keep decorated cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

FAQs About Italian Christmas Cookies

• Are these cookies hard to make for beginners?

These cookies are super easy! Even novice bakers can successfully make them with basic ingredients and simple mixing techniques. The recipe requires minimal skill and basic kitchen tools.

• Can I skip the almond extract?

While almond extract adds a traditional Italian flavor, you can omit it if you don’t like the taste or have an allergy. The cookies will still be delicious with just vanilla extract.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for a set appearance without browning. They should look slightly firm but not golden. This typically takes 10-12 minutes in a 350F oven, but ovens vary, so watch them closely.

Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25-27 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Italian Christmas Cookies bring sweet memories of holiday gatherings around family tables. Delicate almond-flavored treats dusted with powdered sugar will transport you to charming Italian bakeries with one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) flour
• 1/2 cup (115 grams) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk

Decoration:

• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar (for icing)
• Colored sprinkles (for decoration)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by lining a sheet with parchment paper and heating the oven to 350°F.
2. Blend softened butter and sugar until creamy and light, then incorporate eggs, vanilla, and almond extract thoroughly.
3. Gradually fold in flour and baking powder, slowly introducing milk to create a cohesive, smooth dough.
4. Shape the mixture into uniform small spheres, ensuring consistent size for even baking.
5. Arrange cookie balls on prepared baking sheet, leaving slight spacing between each one.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-browning and maintaining a soft, delicate texture.
7. While cookies cool, craft a glossy icing by whisking powdered sugar with minimal water until achieving a silky, pourable consistency.
8. Dunk each cooled cookie into the white icing, allowing excess to drip off gently.
9. Immediately sprinkle festive decorations over icing before it sets, creating a traditional Italian holiday treat with sparkling visual appeal.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain perfect cookie shape.
• Swap almond extract with vanilla if nut allergies are a concern, maintaining the delicate flavor profile.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, consistent mixing and better cookie texture.
• Test cookie doneness by slightly pressing the edge – it should spring back without leaving an indentation, indicating perfectly baked cookies.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 223 kcal
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 52 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg