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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a pristine surface for your festive cookies.
- 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.
- 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.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition to maintain a uniform texture.
- Fold in vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest, infusing the dough with aromatic holiday flavors that will tantalize the senses.
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, and mix until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up for easier handling.
- Roll the chilled dough into small rounds or crescents, placing them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown, indicating perfect doneness.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Prepare the icing by whisking powdered sugar with water until smooth and glossy.
- Once completely cooled, generously coat the cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing.
- Optionally, sprinkle with festive decorative sprinkles for an extra touch of holiday cheer.
- 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