Festive Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe: Jolly Holiday Magic

Soft and delicate italian christmas cookies have been a beloved tradition in my kitchen for generations.

Memories of my grandmother carefully rolling dough still bring warmth to my heart.

Sweet powdered sugar coats each bite, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that transports me back to childhood holidays.

Generations of bakers have perfected these delightful treats, passing down secret techniques through whispered conversations.

Festive gatherings come alive with the gentle crunch and sweet aroma of these cherished cookies.

I promise you’ll fall in love with this simple yet magical recipe that captures the essence of holiday joy.

Let’s create something deliciously unforgettable together.

Why Italian Christmas Cookies Bring Joy

• Create Holiday Magic: Discover a festive recipe that transforms simple ingredients into delightful cookies bursting with traditional Italian charm.
• Bake with Ease: Tackle this straightforward recipe that welcomes bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned cookie enthusiasts.
• Family Gathering Treat: Spread joy and create lasting memories by preparing these delectable cookies together, turning baking into a fun family activity.
• Versatile Celebration Delight: Perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or enjoying a sweet moment with coffee, these cookies adapt to any festive occasion.

What Goes In Italian Christmas Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental base that provides structure and texture to the delicate holiday cookies.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and achieve a light, airy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Creates a rich, creamy foundation that contributes to the cookies' tender and moist texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden, delicate exterior when baked.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cookie dough.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, cohesive dough.

• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract, Lemon Zest: Infuse the cookies with aromatic holiday flavors that create a complex and delightful taste experience.

• Powdered Sugar, Water: Create a smooth, glossy icing that adds a sweet finishing touch to the cookies.
• Decorative Sprinkles: Provide a festive and colorful garnish that enhances the holiday spirit of the cookies.

Steps To Make Italian Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab some parchment paper to line your baking sheets. This creates a perfect surface for your delicious treats.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Sift everything together until the mixture looks smooth and free of lumps.

Step 3: Cream Butter And Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale, creating a creamy base for your cookies.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time. Mix thoroughly after each addition to keep the texture consistent.

Step 5: Infuse Flavor

• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Lemon zest

These ingredients will give your cookies a burst of holiday aroma.

Step 6: Combine Wet And Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Pour in milk and mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 7: Chill The Dough

Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 8: Shape Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into small rounds or crescents. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.

Step 10: Cool Down

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 11: Create Icing

Whisk powdered sugar with water until smooth and glossy.

Step 12: Decorate

Once completely cooled, dust cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing.

Step 13: Add Festive Touch

Sprinkle decorative sprinkles on top for extra holiday cheer.

Step 14: Store And Enjoy

Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain their delightful freshness.

Tips For Italian Christmas Cookies That Work

• Prevent Dry Cookies: Measure flour accurately using the spoon-and-level method to avoid adding too much flour, which can result in dry, crumbly cookies.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
• Perfect Texture Trick: Use room temperature butter and eggs to ensure smooth blending and a consistent, tender cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Decorating Pro Tip: Wait until cookies are completely cooled before adding icing or powdered sugar to prevent melting and achieve a clean, crisp finish.
• Versatile Storage Solution: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage without losing their delightful texture.

Festive Takes On Italian Christmas Cookies

• Gluten-Free Almond Crescents: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic cookie's delicate texture.
• Chocolate-Dipped Holiday Cookies: Melt dark chocolate and dip half of each cooled cookie for a rich, decadent transformation that adds luxurious depth.
• Spiced Winter Edition: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom into the dough to create a warm, aromatic holiday cookie with complex flavor profiles.
• Vegan Sugar Cookies: Replace butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk to craft a compassionate version that doesn't compromise on taste.

Perfect Matches For Italian Christmas Cookies

• Elevate Holiday Flavor Harmony: Delectable Pairings
• Sip Spiced White Wine: Crisp Gewürztraminer or Moscato d'Asti perfectly complements the cookies' delicate sweetness and aromatic notes, creating a festive wine experience that dances on your palate.
• Match Creamy Accompaniment: Serve alongside rich mascarpone or vanilla bean custard, which enhances the cookie's light texture and adds luxurious depth to each delightful bite.
• Brew Seasonal Tea: Fragrant chai or Earl Grey tea with hints of bergamot beautifully echoes the cookies' subtle lemon and almond undertones, providing a warm, comforting beverage pairing.

How To Keep Italian Christmas Cookies Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe containers, and store for up to 3 months without losing their delicate texture or flavor.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring they remain crisp and delicious away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing them to regain their original softness and taste.

Italian Christmas Cookies FAQs

• What are the key ingredients that give these cookies their unique flavor?

The combination of vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest creates a delightful, aromatic holiday flavor profile that sets these cookies apart from traditional recipes.

• Why is chilling the dough important in this recipe?

Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps firm up the texture, making it easier to handle and roll, while also allowing the flavors to meld together more effectively.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking, making it convenient for holiday preparation.

• How do I ensure my cookies have a perfect texture?

Carefully cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, and be careful not to overmix the dough after adding dry ingredients to maintain a soft, delicate texture.

Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45-55 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Italian Christmas Cookies bring warmth and joy to holiday celebrations, offering a sweet glimpse into rich cultural traditions. Delicate, powdery, and infused with generations of love, you’ll savor each bite of these cherished family delights.

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Ingredients

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Flour

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk

Decoration and Flavor

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for coating)
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) water (for icing)
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a pristine surface for your festive cookies.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring a smooth, lump-free dry mixture that will create a delicate cookie texture.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, developing a creamy consistency.
4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition to maintain a uniform texture.
5. Fold in vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest, infusing the dough with aromatic holiday flavors that will tantalize the senses.
6. Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, and mix until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
7. Chill the dough for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up for easier handling.
8. Roll the chilled dough into small rounds or crescents, placing them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown, indicating perfect doneness.
10. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
11. Prepare the icing by whisking powdered sugar with water until smooth and glossy.
12. Once completely cooled, generously coat the cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing.
13. Optionally, sprinkle with festive decorative sprinkles for an extra touch of holiday cheer.
14. Store in an airtight container, where these delectable Italian Christmas cookies will remain fresh and delightful.

Notes

• Soften butter completely at room temperature to ensure smooth, even mixing without lumps or cold spots.
• Use fresh, high-quality extracts for the most vibrant and authentic flavor profile in your cookies.
• Experiment with different extract combinations like orange or rum for unique festive variations that suit personal taste preferences.
• Prevent cookie spreading by keeping dough chilled and using cool baking sheets during preparation, maintaining perfect cookie shape.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 151
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 26 mg