Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Appearance: The glazed tops adorned with colorful sprinkles make these cookies visually appealing, adding a cheerful touch to any holiday spread.
- Versatile Flavor: With a base hint of almond and vanilla, these cookies can be easily adapted to include other flavors like lemon or anise, catering to various taste preferences.
- Simple Preparation: The straightforward recipe makes it accessible for bakers of all levels, ensuring a successful batch every time.
- Perfect for Gifting: Their attractive appearance and delightful taste make these cookies an excellent choice for holiday gifts.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- Sprinkles for decoration
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze and Decorate: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze and decorate with sprinkles. Let the glaze set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies.
- Preparation Time: About 20 minutes.
- Baking Time: 10-12 minutes per batch.
- Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes, including cooling and decorating.
Variations
- Lemon-Flavored Italian Cookies: Swap out the almond extract for 1 teaspoon of lemon extract, and add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy twist.
- Chocolate Dipped Italian Cookies: After glazing, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate (dark or white) and let it set for a delicious chocolatey variation.
- Anise-Flavored Italian Cookies: Replace the almond extract with 1/2 teaspoon of anise extract for a more traditional Italian flavor, perfect for those who enjoy a licorice-like taste.
- Colored Glaze: Add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze to create festive red, green, or blue icing for a more colorful holiday display.
- Nutty Italian Cookies: Mix in 1/2 cup of finely chopped almonds or pistachios into the dough for an added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Spiced Italian Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced variation, perfect for the winter season.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix, ensuring the rest of the ingredients are gluten-free as well.
- Vegan Italian Cookies: Use plant-based butter and a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water) as a substitute for eggs to create vegan-friendly cookies.
- Iced Italian Cookies with Almonds: Top the glaze with slivered almonds or chopped toasted nuts instead of sprinkles for a less sugary, more sophisticated look.
- Italian Christmas Cookie Sandwiches: Make cookie sandwiches by spreading Nutella or your favorite jam between two cookies for a delightful treat.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, you can place a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture.
- Freezing: Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw them completely before glazing and adding sprinkles.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This is perfect for holiday prep and ensures freshly baked cookies when needed.
Print
Italian Christmas Cookies
Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, buttery treats infused with almond and vanilla, glazed, and topped with festive sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie platters, or gifting, these delightful cookies bring the warmth of the season to every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare Your Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Slightly flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze and Decorate:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, then decorate with sprinkles.
- Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
- To keep cookies soft, store them with a slice of bread in the container.
- Refrigerate dough for up to 24 hours to bake fresh cookies later.
- Add food coloring to the glaze for a more festive touch.
