Italian Christmas Cookies are a favorite on every holiday dessert tray! They are buttery, flavorful little bites covered in an irresistible glaze. They only require a few ingredients and an entire batch is made in less than an hour!
Do you know the history behind these cookies? Me either! And I couldn’t find a trustworthy explanation, so I don’t know what to tell you aside from the fact that this is what they’re called. Whether or not these actually come from Italy doesn’t matter (I guess), as long as you can taste them upon hearing the name.
Let me do my best to describe them! Buttery, light, tender bites with a cake like texture that you won’t be able to stop eating (I know this based on experience). Some versions of traditional Italian Christmas cookies contain anise flavoring, but my version is made without. Both ways are delicious!
HOW TO MAKE CLASSIC ITALIAN COOKIES
MAKE THE COOKIES
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla and beat on medium speed until creamy and free of lumps.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the butter mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined.
Place tablespoon-size chunks of batter 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are very lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
MAKE THE GLAZE
Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), powdered sugar and milk. Mix on medium speed until glaze is free of lumps. Dunk the tops of the cookies into the glaze and place back on baking sheets or on a serving plate. Top with sprinkles, if desired.
RECIPE NOTES
- This is the perfect edible gift recipe this holiday season! Sprinkle festive sprinkles over the top and place them in a transparent gift bag with a festive bow.
- If you desire that anise flavoring that some recipes include, add 1/2 teaspoon anise extract along with the rest of the wet ingredients.
- These cookies cook quickly! My oven produces the perfect cookie in just 8 minutes. When you peek in, they may not appear to be fully baked. If you see a very slightly golden tint around the bottom edge of the cookies, pull them out! When you flip a cookie over you will see a golden brown ring on the bottom sides of the cookies.
- Store these in the fridge for up to 1 week.
CAN YOU FREEZE COOKIE DOUGH
Cookie dough is PERFECT for freezing! It’s one of the things I love most about it. Place prepared cookie dough into a resealable freezer bag and press as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to six months. When you are ready to make the cookies, allow the dough to thaw completely in the fridge overnight then bake as directed.
BEST COOKIES FOR HOLIDAY BAKING
Add these delicious cookies to your holiday baking list, too!
- These delicious Chewy Gingersnaps are the perfect chewy treat. Plus they are super easy to make. Flavored with molasses and spices and the finishing touch – topped with simple icing! Enjoy making these, as they are the perfect holiday baking cookie recipe!
- These delicious, sugary pecan balls SCREAM Christmas! Pecans and just 4 additional ingredients are rolled into a soft cloud of powdered sugar to create cookies that are light and delicious.
- This recipe for soft and chewy molasses cookies is the best you’ll find! Molasses adds such a delicious and unique flavor and the spices hiding inside make them comforting and irresistible. These are great for a holiday dessert tray or as a sweet finger food at any party!
- This Baileys Irish Cream recipe tastes like a replica of the popular creamy drink. It is super easy to make and it’s an indulgent winter staple!
- Say goodbye to boring and hello to sprinkles and color! These Spiral Cookies are fun! Red for Christmas, pink for a girl party or blue for pool-side snacks. They’ll make any occasion brighter and more fun!
- Oreo Balls are an easy no-bake dessert requiring only three ingredients! This easy dessert is great for the holidays or any time of year. Decorate with colored sprinkles to be festive and match the occasion.
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Italian Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
COOKIES
- 3/4 cup salted butter softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- Sprinkles optional
GLAZE
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp milk
Instructions
MAKE THE COOKIES
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla and beat on medium speed until creamy and free of lumps.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the butter mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined.
- Place tablespoon-size chunks of batter 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are very lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
MAKE THE GLAZE
- Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), powdered sugar and milk. Mix on medium speed until glaze is free of lumps. Dunk the tops of the cookies into the glaze and place back on baking sheets or on a serving plate. Top with sprinkles, if desired.
Made these with my mom and grandma for years then with my aunt, sisters and cousins then with nieces and grandkids and now with my neighbor since moving to Florida!! Always relive my childhood when baking up a few batches along cucciddati – same dough just with fig filling.
What great memories! Thank you for sharing Leona. I love the tip about the fig filling.