Name: Italian Christmas Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 2 teaspoons almond extract; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 2-3 tablespoons milk; Christmas sprinkles

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The holiday season brings with it an air of excitement, flickering lights, and the timeless scent of cookies baking in the oven. Imagine the alluring aroma of sweet almond wafting through your kitchen, soft, tender cookies adorned with colorful sprinkles patiently waiting to be devoured. These are not just any cookies; these are Italian Christmas Cookies, a cherished tradition in many families. Each bite melts in your mouth, offering a delightful sweetness that feels like a warm hug on a cold winter day.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Italian Christmas Cookies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Italian Christmas Cookies

I can still remember the joy of helping my grandmother in her cozy kitchen, rolling dough into little balls and eagerly waiting to see how she transformed them into festive creations. The laughter we shared, the stories we exchanged, each cookie baked together is a memory I hold dearly. And now, as I invite you to create your own batch of these Italian Christmas Cookies, I can’t help but feel that same warmth of nostalgia. Get ready to add a sprinkle of magic to your holiday gatherings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 15 minutes of prep and only 10 minutes of baking, you’ll have these scrumptious cookies ready in no time!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of butter and almond extract creates a rich, nutty flavor that dances on your taste buds.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Beautifully glazed and topped with cheerful sprinkles, these cookies make an impressive addition to any cookie tray.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for holiday parties, gifting, or simply enjoying with a warm mug of cocoa — these cookies fit every occasion!
Diet-Friendly Options: Want to make them gluten-free? Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a good gluten-free blend for the same delightful result.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups all-purpose flour
This is the base for your cookies. A versatile flour that adds structure. You can substitute with gluten-free all-purpose flour, but ensure it includes a binding agent like xanthan gum for best results.

1 tablespoon baking powder
Essential for creating that wonderful rise. Helps to make the cookies soft and fluffy.

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Enhances the flavors in your cookies. If you don’t have kosher salt, regular table salt works, but reduce the amount slightly.

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Using room temperature butter ensures that it combines smoothly with the sugar, giving you that light and fluffy texture key to perfect cookies.

1/2 cup granulated sugar
Adds sweetness and helps with browning. You can try using coconut sugar for a different flavor profile, but it may alter the color.

2 eggs
Room temperature eggs help to incorporate easily into the dough, creating a richer texture. For a vegan option, replace with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for each egg.

2 teaspoons almond extract
This gives those classic almond flavors that define these cookies. For a sweet twist, you can also add a splash of vanilla extract.

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Used for the glaze, it gives that beautiful sweetness and creamy texture. Make sure to sift it to avoid lumps!

1 teaspoon almond extract
You’ll add another layer of that sweet almond flavor in your glaze.

2-3 tablespoons milk
Used to achieve the desired glaze consistency. You can use almond milk for a dairy-free version, which complements the almond flavor beautifully.

Christmas sprinkles
These add festive cheer and color. Choose your favorites for a personal touch!

How to Make Italian Christmas Cookies

Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F, inviting warmth into your kitchen. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper, which will keep your cookies from sticking and ensure they bake evenly. Everything is in motion as you gather your ingredients, setting the stage for a baking adventure.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. This simple but crucial step evenly distributes the leavening agent and salt throughout the flour, ensuring consistent rise and flavor in each cookie. Feel free to take a moment to admire your snowy mixture before setting it aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy — about 3 minutes. This aeration makes your cookies tender. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture is pale and creamy, almost like whipped sunshine!

Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps the eggs emulsify with the butter rather than separate, ensuring a cohesive dough. Then, add the almond extract and mix until just combined, letting that delightful nutty aroma fill your kitchen.

Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to your butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender. At this stage, if you’d like thicker, more rounded cookies, cover the dough and refrigerate for at least one hour. If you prefer flatter cookies, feel free to skip the chilling!

Shape and Bake: Once ready, roll the dough into one-inch balls and place them two inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. This spacing avoids overcrowding. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Your kitchen will soon be filled with a fragrant, buttery scent that is oh-so-tempting!

Cool and Glaze: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before glazing. For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, almond extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl until smooth. If it’s too thick, add more milk gradually to achieve a thick yet pourable consistency. Dip the tops of each cooled cookie in the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, then finish with a sprinkle of festive sprinkles. Let them set on parchment and watch them transform into holiday magic!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Italian Christmas Cookies fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. If you need to extend their life, you can pop them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Want to take a longer break? They freeze beautifully! Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them on the counter for a few hours or reheat briefly in a 300°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. Do note that freezing may alter the texture slightly, but a quick refresh in the oven will bring back that delightful softness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Use room temperature eggs and butter to ensure the ingredients blend seamlessly and create a smooth dough.
Overmixing your dough can lead to tough cookies, so mix just enough to combine the ingredients.
If you want softer cookies, consider underbaking them slightly. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool!
Elevate the flavor by adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a subtle holiday vibe.
Chill the dough if you want to create perfectly shaped cookies; it helps keep them thick during baking.
For an extra festive touch, you can drizzle some melted chocolate over the dipped cookies after the glaze has set.

These Italian Christmas Cookies are not just a treat for the taste buds but a rich tapestry of memories and moments shared with loved ones. They are all about joy, celebration, and a touch of nostalgia, waiting to be created in your kitchen. Feel free to experiment with flavors, swap in fun shapes, or even try different glazes! Enjoy every moment of this festive baking adventure.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make Italian Christmas Cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it for up to three months. Just roll it into balls and freeze them. When you’re ready to bake, pop them directly into the oven, adding an extra minute to the baking time!

Is it possible to make these cookies vegan?

Absolutely! You can substitute the eggs with unsweetened applesauce (1/4 cup for each egg) and use vegan butter in place of unsalted butter. The flavor will remain delicious with these swaps.

How can I make my glaze thicker or thinner?

For a thicker glaze, simply add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. If you want it thinner, slowly add a bit more milk until it’s pourable but still holds its shape when dripped.

What should I do if my cookie dough is too sticky?

If your dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more flour — a tablespoon at a time — until it’s manageable. Make sure to mix gently to avoid tough cookies.