Description
These Italian Christmas Cookies are a festive and delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, buttery cookies flavored with vanilla and almond extracts are baked to golden perfection, then glazed with a sweet powdered sugar icing and adorned with colorful sprinkles. This easy-to-make recipe yields a generous batch that’s ideal for sharing at holiday gatherings or gifting to loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Glaze and Decoration
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or hand whisk to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This helps create a tender, airy texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat the eggs in one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts until the batter is fully combined, infusing the dough with rich flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball to help achieve an even bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Remove and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze and Decorate: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk to create a smooth glaze. Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze, then immediately decorate with colorful sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set completely before serving or storing the cookies to keep the decoration intact.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Adjust the milk quantity in the glaze to reach desired consistency—thicker glaze for coating, thinner for drizzling.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For a nut-free version, you can omit almond extract or substitute with an equal amount of vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
