Italian Christmas Cookies
Servings: 24
Calories: 191kcal
Festive and easy Italian Christmas Cookies are a holiday favorite! Kids and adults love the melt-in-your-mouth texture, sweet almond or anise flavor, smooth glaze and colorful sprinkles. These delicious cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of tea or coffee.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons almond extract or anise extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Decoration
- sprinkles of your choice traditionally nonpareils are used
Instructions
Make Cookies
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add eggs and almond extract and mix until smooth and combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir just until combined. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- Pinch a single tablespoon sized portion of dough and roll between your palms to create a ball. You should have about 24 dough balls.
- Place dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, allowing for one to two inches of spacing in between.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. The cookies are done when firm and very slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let rest on the cookie sheet for 3 minutes before gently transferring the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Glaze
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and almond extract together until no lumps remain. Add additional milk to thin, add powdered sugar to thicken.
- Dip the top of the cooled cookies into the glaze or drizzle the glaze on top of the cookies then immediately add the sprinkles. Allow the glaze to harden before serving.
Notes
Storage Information
Make Ahead. The dough can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated. This can be a great time-saver during busy holiday preparations.
Storage. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Baked, unglazed cookies can be frozen in an airtight container or a freezer ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature. Add the glaze and sprinkles, let set up, enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg