Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe
Picture this: twinkling lights, the aroma of butter and almonds wafting through the air, and a platter of Italian Christmas Cookies at the heart of your holiday table. These dreamy cookies are delightfully tender, kissed with sweet vanilla and almond, and crowned with a pastel shower of festive sprinkles. They capture the very essence of Italian holiday tradition in each soft, gently iced bite—making them the treat everyone reaches for, year after year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Italian Christmas Cookies lies in their simplicity—each ingredient plays an important role in achieving the traditional crumb, rich flavor, and beautiful finish. Don’t skip or substitute lightly; these essentials are just what makes this classic holiday cookie so memorable and crave-worthy.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and that irresistible tender crumb—make sure it’s at room temperature for best results.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Brings sweetness and contributes to the cookies’ structure; creaming with butter ensures lightness.
- Large Eggs (4): Deliver moisture and help bind the dough for a soft but sturdy cookie.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): A must for that classic, sweet aromatic flavor found in Italian Christmas Cookies.
- Almond Extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the dough with a subtle, nutty essence that defines these cookies; adjust to your taste.
- All-Purpose Flour (4 cups): The building block for structure—sifting ensures a tender texture.
- Baking Powder (5 teaspoons): Gives lift, keeping the cookies soft and slightly puffy.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all those sweet, nutty flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Powdered Sugar (2 cups): The silky base for the smooth cookie icing.
- Milk (2–3 tablespoons): Loosens the icing for easy dipping—add gradually for the perfect consistency.
- Vanilla or Almond Extract (1/2 teaspoon, for icing): A splash in the icing ties in the fragrant notes from the cookie.
- Colorful Sprinkles (nonpareils): The cheerful finishing touch; use red, green, and white for a festive sparkle or let kids choose their favorites!
How to Make Italian Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper, which not only keeps the cookies from sticking but also makes cleanup a breeze. That little bit of prep now sets you up for an effortless baking marathon.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
With your butter nice and soft, beat it together with granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale—this should take about 2–3 minutes. It’s worth the extra time because all that air whipped in means lighter, melt-in-your-mouth cookies!
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Extracts
Add your eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in both the vanilla and almond extracts for that signature fragrance. The dough might look a bit silky here, and that’s exactly what you want for a soft, beautiful cookie.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting or whisking ensures the baking powder and salt are distributed evenly, giving your Italian Christmas Cookies a perfect rise and flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, mixing just until everything is combined and a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. The dough will be soft but shouldn’t be sticky.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls (about the size of a walnut) and space them 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the bottoms are set and slightly golden but the tops remain pale. This is how you keep that pillowy texture that’s the hallmark of Italian Christmas Cookies. Cool on a wire rack before icing.
Step 7: Make the Icing and Decorate
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2–3 tablespoons of milk, and a dash of vanilla or almond extract until smooth and glossy. Dip the tops of cooled cookies into the icing, letting excess drip off, then immediately sprinkle with nonpareils. The icing will set up into a sweet, pretty shell—so resist the urge to stack them until they’re fully dry.
How to Serve Italian Christmas Cookies
Garnishes
There’s nothing quite like a tray of Italian Christmas Cookies scattered with jewel-bright sprinkles! For extra pizzazz, add a dusting of edible glitter or a few silver dragees. You can even drizzle a touch of melted white chocolate for a bit of elegance if you like.
Side Dishes
These cookies are a perfect pairing with strong Italian espresso, mugs of hot cocoa, or a sweet dessert wine like Vin Santo. For a festive cookie platter, serve them alongside biscotti, pignoli, and amaretti for an all-Italian lineup your guests will rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for delightful holiday gifts, or stack them in glass jars for an edible centerpiece. Arrange on a holiday platter topped with rosemary sprigs or cranberries for a burst of color. For cookie exchanges, nestle each cookie in a mini cupcake liner for a professional, bakery-style vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Italian Christmas Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to one week, making them superb for advanced holiday planning or gifting.
Freezing
Both the baked cookies (iced or plain) and the dough freeze wonderfully. For dough, shape into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, and transfer to a zip-top bag. For finished cookies, freeze in single layers, separated by parchment paper to protect your icing and sprinkles. Use within two months for best flavor and texture.
Reheating
While you don’t need to reheat these, a quick 5–10 seconds in the microwave can revive day-old cookies, giving them a just-baked warmth and aroma. Always allow cookies to come to room temperature after freezing to maintain their classic, tender bite.
FAQs
Why do my Italian Christmas Cookies come out dry?
The most common culprit is overbaking. Bake until just barely golden on the bottom; the tops should remain pale. Also, make sure you’re using the correct amount of flour and not overmixing your dough.
Can I use a different extract instead of almond?
Absolutely! You can swap almond extract for lemon or orange extract for a different twist, or simply leave it out if you prefer a pure vanilla flavor. Customize to what your family loves most.
How do I get my icing to set perfectly?
Make sure your cookies are completely cooled before dipping in icing. Let them rest at room temperature until the icing hardens—usually about 30 minutes—before stacking or storing.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, a good quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can be used in place of the all-purpose flour. Be sure to check that your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Are Italian Christmas Cookies suitable for gifting?
They’re absolutely perfect for gifting! Their beautiful appearance, long shelf life, and gentle flavors make them a favorite in cookie tins, holiday jars, and as stocking stuffers for friends and neighbors.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about sharing Italian Christmas Cookies with family and friends—they bring color, cheer, and that irresistible homemade taste to every holiday gathering. If you’re ready to start a delicious new tradition, these cookies are the sweet, joyful note your season deserves. Happy baking!
Print
Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Italian Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat with a hint of almond and vanilla, topped with colorful sprinkles. Perfect for festive baking and sharing with loved ones!
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Colorful sprinkles (nonpareils)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and extracts: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients to form a dough.
- Form and bake: Roll dough into balls, place on baking sheet, and bake for 8–10 minutes until golden.
- Make icing: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and extract. Dip cooled cookies in icing and add sprinkles. Let set before serving.
Notes
- You can adjust the almond extract or try lemon extract for a different flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
