Description
These Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies are a simple yet satisfying treat, perfect for holiday gatherings. They are light, airy, and delicately flavored, making them a family favorite year after year. The recipe is straightforward, allowing even novice bakers to create a delicious batch of these festive cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons milk or water
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Do not overbake.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or water), and almond extract (if using) until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk/water if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, dip the tops of each cookie into the glaze.
- Place the glazed cookies back on the wire rack over parchment paper to catch drips. Decorate with sprinkles immediately if desired, before the glaze sets.
- Allow the glaze to set completely before storing the cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
- For a citrusy twist, add 1 teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the cookie dough.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For a softer cookie, do not overbake them; they should be just barely golden at the edges.
- Feel free to experiment with different extracts in the glaze, such as lemon or orange, for varied flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
