The holiday season brings cherished traditions, and for many, that means baking a beloved batch of Italian Christmas cookies. These festive treats are a cornerstone of Italian holiday tables, known for their tender, cakey texture and sweet glaze. This recipe for Italian Christmas cookies comes straight from cherished family memories, offering that authentic taste of home. Get ready to bake an easy, Nonna-approved recipe that will fill your kitchen with joy.
According to various culinary traditions, Italian Christmas cookies often symbolize warmth and togetherness.
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Why You’ll Love This Italian Christmas Cookie Recipe
Whipping up these Italian Christmas cookies is a breeze. You can have them ready to bake in under 30 minutes, making holiday baking less stressful. These delightful cookies infuse your home with warm, homey holiday aromas that create instant festive cheer. The recipe offers versatile flavor options, allowing you to customize them to your family’s taste. Decorating with colorful sprinkles adds a fun, customizable element perfect for involving little helpers. Best of all, you’ll achieve soft, bakery-quality festive treats every single time.
Essential Ingredients
Making delightful Italian Christmas cookies starts with the right ingredients. These simple items combine to create an unforgettable holiday treat. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect texture and classic flavor.
For the Cookies
- All-purpose flour: This forms the foundational structure, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough to classic perfection.
- Whole milk: Adds essential moisture and contributes to a wonderfully tender texture.
- Large eggs: They bind the ingredients together and enrich the dough. Lightly beat them before adding.
- Baking powder: Guarantees a light, cakey rise, making these cookies delightfully soft.
To understand the role of leavening agents, Serious Eats provides an in-depth look at how baking powder affects cookies.
- Vegetable oil: This crucial ingredient helps create an incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Almond extract: Essential for that distinctive, classic Italian flavor profile.
For the Glaze
- Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth, opaque icing that sets beautifully.
- Almond extract: Enhances the overall almond flavor in the glaze.
- Hot water: Use this to achieve the perfect glaze consistency; add it slowly.
Optional Decorations
- Rainbow nonpareil sprinkles: These add a vibrant, festive topping that kids and adults love.
Equipment Needed
Gathering your equipment beforehand makes the baking process smooth and enjoyable. You likely have most of these items in your kitchen already.
- Large mixing bowls
- Whisk and sturdy wooden spoon
- Standard measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets (at least two are ideal for efficient baking)
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Small cookie scoop (a 1-inch size works perfectly)
- Wire cooling rack
- Rimmed baking sheet (useful for catching glaze drips)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Whip up these delightful Italian Christmas cookies by following these simple, clear steps. Remember, baking should be fun, so take your time and enjoy the process. These Italian Christmas cookies will be a hit with everyone.
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1 cup of granulated sugar until they are well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the ¾ cup of vegetable oil, ½ cup of whole milk, 1 tablespoon of almond extract, and 2 lightly beaten large eggs.
- Mix the Dough: Using a sturdy wooden spoon, carefully mix all the ingredients together. Stir until everything is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth. Do not overmix; just combine until smooth.
- Scoop and Flatten: Take a small 1-inch cookie scoop and portion out balls of dough. Place them on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie. Gently flatten the tops of the dough balls slightly with your fingertips.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes in the preheated oven. Watch them carefully; the cookies are cooked when they appear set but will not brown. Overbaking leads to dry cookies.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cookies bake, make your glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of almond extract, and 1½ tablespoons of hot water. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. The glaze should be thick, similar to the consistency of molasses, and hold its shape. Add a tiny bit more hot water if needed, one drop at a time, to reach the desired consistency.
- First Dip and Cool: Place a wire cooling rack over a rimmed cookie sheet (this catches excess glaze). Once the cookies are out of the oven, dip each warm cookie into the prepared glaze, coating it completely. Place the glazed cookies on the wire rack and allow them to cool slightly.
- Second Dip and Decorate: Dip each cookie in the glaze a second time for a thicker, more opaque coating. Immediately after the second dip, sprinkle generously with rainbow nonpareil sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.
- Set and Serve: Let the decorated cookies set completely on the wire rack. This allows the glaze to harden properly, preventing stickiness when stacking.
Pro Tips for Perfect Italian Christmas Cookies
Mastering Italian Christmas cookies is simple with a few key pointers. Paying attention to these details ensures a perfect batch every time. These tips will help you achieve bakery-worthy results at home.
- Common Mistakes to Avoid: Do not overbake your cookies; they should not brown, just be set. Always use fresh baking powder for the best rise and texture. When making the glaze, add hot water slowly to control thickness; too thin, and it won’t coat properly. Allow your glazed cookies to set fully before stacking them to prevent sticking.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all cold ingredients like eggs and milk are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the dough, leading to a better texture.
- Accurate Flour Measurement: Measure flour by spooning it into your measuring cup, then leveling it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly can compact the flour, leading to too much dry ingredient.
- Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop for uniform size. This ensures all cookies bake evenly and look consistent on your holiday platter.
- Test for Doneness: After cooling, taste one test cookie to confirm doneness and desired texture. Adjust baking time slightly for subsequent batches if needed.
Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations
These versatile cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering. Serve your beautiful Italian Christmas cookies alongside a warm cup of coffee, a soothing cup of tea, or a cold glass of milk for a delightful treat. They also make a stunning addition to any holiday cookie tray or dessert spread, showcasing your baking prowess.
Storage Instructions
- Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks.
- For extended freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to 2 months. Ensure the container is tightly sealed.
Freezing Instructions
- Baked, Unglazed Cookies: Freeze baked, unglazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer them to an airtight freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then glaze and decorate before serving.
- Unbaked Dough: Scoop unbaked dough balls onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid. Transfer frozen dough balls to an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Flavor Variations
- Extract Swaps: Substitute the almond extract with orange, lemon, or anise extract for different flavor profiles.
- Citrus Zest: Add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh citrus zest (orange or lemon) to the cookie dough for a bright, tangy note.
- Sprinkle Styles: Use seasonal or themed sprinkles to match specific holidays or events, such as red and green for Christmas or pastel for Easter.
Nutrition Information
Understanding the nutritional breakdown of your favorite treats helps with balanced eating. These Italian Christmas cookies offer a sweet indulgence in moderation. Please note that values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 cookie |
| Calories | 104 kcal |
| Carbohydrate Content | 16 g |
| Fat Content | 3 g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 2 g |
| Cholesterol Content | 6 mg |
| Sodium Content | 4 mg |
| Potassium | 40 mg |
| Sugar Content | 8 g |
| Vitamin A | 15 IU |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are my Italian Christmas cookies dry?
Cookies often become dry if they are over-baked. Reduce your baking time by a minute or two next time and watch for them to just be set, not browned.
Can I substitute other extracts for almond?
Yes, absolutely! Orange, lemon, or anise extracts are all traditional and make wonderful variations for these cookies.
Can I freeze Italian Christmas cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze scooped dough balls on a tray until solid, then transfer them to an airtight bag for later baking. Bake from frozen.
How long do these cookies last?
These cookies last well for up to 2-3 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh even longer in the refrigerator.
What makes these cookies “Italian Christmas”?
These cookies earn their name from their specific ingredients, like almond extract, and their tender, cakey texture, which are traditional in Italian holiday baking.
Conclusion
Making these classic Italian Christmas cookies is a truly rewarding experience, bringing warmth and tradition into your home. This recipe is designed to be simple, ensuring even beginner bakers can achieve delicious, bakery-quality results. These cookies offer a taste of tradition and create lasting memories with every bite. We encourage you to make a batch of these classic Italian Christmas cookies and share the joy with your loved ones this holiday season!
Classic Italian Christmas Cookies: A Nonna-Approved Recipe
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking sheets
- Silicone Baking Mats or Parchment Paper
- whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden Spoon
- Small Cookie Scoop
- Wire Baking Rack
- Rimmed Cookie Sheet
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon almond extract for cookies
Glaze & Topping
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon almond extract for glaze
- 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water more as needed
- rainbow nonpareil sprinkles
Instructions
Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and prepare baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sugar. Make a well in the center, then add oil, milk, 1 tablespoon almond extract, and eggs; mix until smooth.
- Scoop 1-inch dough balls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart and flattening slightly. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked through but not browned.
Glaze & Finishing
- While cookies bake, whisk powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon almond extract, and hot water in a small bowl until the glaze is smooth and thick.
- Place a wire rack over a rimmed cookie sheet. Dip warm cookies twice in glaze, setting them on the rack, and immediately sprinkle with nonpareils after the second dip while the glaze is still wet. Allow to set completely.