If you’re looking to bring a heartfelt and festive touch to your holiday baking, this Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. Bursting with delicate vanilla and almond flavors and topped with a sweet, shiny glaze, these cookies are tender yet delightfully satisfying. They’re simple enough for a cozy afternoon in the kitchen but special enough to share with loved ones during the holiday season. Whether you’re new to Italian baking or revisiting a cherished tradition, these cookies promise to fill your home with warmth and joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating tender, flavorful cookies with the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives your cookies structure and tenderness.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a light, fluffy texture when creamed with butter.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Brings rich flavor and a tender crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide moisture and richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Offers classic warmth and depth of flavor.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract: Adds a distinctive, nutty aroma that’s signature to Italian cookies.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just right for a fluffy texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Used for the glossy glaze that brings a sweet finishing touch.
- 2-3 tablespoons milk: Adjusts glaze consistency for a smooth dip.
- Sprinkles for decoration: Add festive color and fun to the presentation.
How to Make Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies will bake evenly and won’t stick, giving you the perfect base for your Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which makes your cookies soft and tender — a small but vital step you won’t want to skip.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, infusing your dough with those classic, festive Italian flavors that make these cookies so memorable.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this blend to your wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Over-mixing here can make the cookies tough, so keeping it gentle is key to maintaining that tender crumb.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each ball with your hand or a fork. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges. Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Glaze and Decorate
Whisk together powdered sugar and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk until you get a smooth glaze. Dip the top of each cookie into this sweet coating, then decorate with colorful sprinkles for that cheerful holiday look. Let the glaze set completely before serving or storing your delicious Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe.
How to Serve Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are already charismatic, but you can amp up their holiday charm by adding a sprinkle of colorful sugar crystals or finely chopped nuts on top of the glaze. It gives texture and a festive sparkle that will delight everyone.
Side Dishes
Serve your Italian Christmas Cookies alongside a warm cup of spiced tea, freshly brewed coffee, or a classic Italian hot chocolate. The warmth of these drinks perfectly complements the cookie’s tender texture and sweet glaze.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning holiday display, arrange the cookies on a festive platter layered with doilies or evergreen sprigs. You can even tie a few cookies in small stacks with a colorful ribbon for charming edible gifts that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The glaze helps seal in moisture, so each bite stays perfectly soft and flavorful.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe any time during the season, freeze baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. When ready, thaw at room temperature before glazing and decorating.
Reheating
To revive your cookies’ fresh-baked charm, warm them in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in an oven set at 300°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid overheating to keep the glaze intact and the texture soft.
FAQs
What makes these cookies specifically Italian?
The use of almond extract and a simple buttery dough reflects traditional Italian holiday baking. These flavors and the style of glaze make this recipe a beloved staple in Italian-American Christmas celebrations.
Can I substitute the almond extract if I don’t have any?
While almond extract adds a unique nutty aroma, you can substitute it with extra vanilla extract or a splash of lemon zest for a different but still delicious twist.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, experimenting with gluten-free flour blends could work, but results might vary in texture.
Why is it important not to overmix the dough?
Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which can make the cookies tough rather than tender and soft, so mix just until combined for the best texture.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, shape it into balls, and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. This can help the flavors meld and makes baking day even easier.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like sharing a batch of these charming Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe with the people you love. They are simple to make, full of nostalgic flavor, and bring a comforting touch of tradition to your holiday celebrations. Give this recipe a try and watch it become a cherished part of your festive baking rotations!
Print
Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These classic Italian Christmas Cookies are tender, buttery treats perfect for holiday celebrations. Lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, they are topped with a sweet powdered sugar glaze and festive sprinkles, delivering both delightful textures and flavors. Easy to prepare and bake, these cookies make an excellent addition to any holiday cookie platter.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Glaze and Decoration
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer or spoon until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help achieve a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts for a fragrant and authentic flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each ball for uniform baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze and Decorate: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk until smooth and pourable. Dip the top of each cooled cookie into this glaze and immediately decorate with sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving or storing the cookies.
Notes
- Softened butter is key to achieving the right cookie texture — avoid melting the butter.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- For a stronger almond flavor, you can add a little more almond extract, but be cautious as it can be overpowering.
- Allow the glaze to fully set before packaging to prevent sticking.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
