If you’re looking for a festive and delicious treat to add to your holiday cookie platter, these Easy Italian Christmas Cookies are perfect! These traditional Italian cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly flavored with almond and vanilla, making them a delightful addition to any holiday celebration.

What makes these cookies so special is their simple yet flavorful dough, which can be easily decorated with colorful icing or sprinkles for that extra festive touch. This Easy Italian Christmas Cookies recipe is not only easy to make but also a beloved treat that captures the spirit of the holidays!

These Easy Italian Christmas Cookies feature a rich, buttery dough flavored with almond and vanilla, cut into festive shapes and decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles. Ready in about 1 hour (plus chilling time), these cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday gatherings, or as a sweet treat for your family!

With straightforward ingredients and easy preparation, you can whip up this scrumptious recipe in no time. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe!

Exciting Story:

The first time I made Easy Italian Christmas Cookies, it was for our annual family gathering. I wanted to recreate the traditional cookies my grandmother used to bake every holiday season. As I mixed the dough and rolled it out, the sweet aroma of almond and vanilla filled my kitchen, instantly bringing back cherished memories!

Once baked and cooled, I had a blast decorating the cookies with colorful icing and sprinkles. The first bite was a wonderful trip down memory lane—the soft, buttery texture combined with the festive decorations made these cookies a hit! These Easy Italian Christmas Cookies have since become a cherished family tradition, bringing joy and sweetness to our holiday celebrations.

Why These Easy Italian Christmas Cookies?

• Flavorful and Festive: The combination of almond and vanilla creates a delicious flavor that’s perfect for the holidays.
• Quick and Easy: With minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for holiday baking sessions!
• Customizable: Decorate these cookies with icing, sprinkles, or nuts to suit your personal taste and style.

How to Make Easy Italian Christmas Cookies

1. Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
4. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Make the Icing: In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar with milk or water until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or liquid as needed. If using food coloring, divide the icing into bowls and add desired colors.
8. Decorate: Once the cookies are cool, drizzle or spread the icing over the cookies and sprinkle with festive decorations. Allow the icing to set before serving.
9. Enjoy: Your Easy Italian Christmas Cookies are ready to be enjoyed!

Tips For Easy Italian Christmas Cookies

• Use High-Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh butter and high-quality extracts.
• Let Them Cool Completely: Ensure the cookies are completely cool before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.

Substitutions and Variations

• Different Flavors: You can replace almond extract with lemon or orange extract for a citrusy twist.
• Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts into the dough for added texture.

Make a Healthier Version

• Use coconut oil instead of butter and reduce the sugar for a lighter version of these cookies.

Closing For Easy Italian Christmas Cookies

And there you have it! These Easy Italian Christmas Cookies are a beautiful and delicious treat that will impress anyone who tries them. Don’t forget to let us know how your cookies turn out, and consider checking out some of our other recipes for more delightful options!

Frequently Asked Questions For Easy Italian Christmas Cookies

How long can I store leftovers?
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be made in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.

What can I use instead of butter?
You can use margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free option.

Can I use different types of extract?
Yes! You can experiment with different flavors, like lemon or orange, to change the flavor profile.

How do I know when they’re done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.

Can I add other flavors?
Yes! A splash of espresso powder can enhance the flavor if you prefer a coffee twist.

What if I want to make it sweeter?
Feel free to increase the sugar in the cookie dough or icing to taste.

What sides pair well with this dish?
Serve with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of milk for a delightful complement!

How can I make this more festive?
Consider using holiday-themed cookie cutters and colorful sprinkles for a fun presentation!

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
These cookies are best served at room temperature and should not be reheated.

Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes! Freeze them in an airtight container, and thaw at room temperature before serving.

How can I enhance the flavors?
Consider adding a drizzle of chocolate or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for added sweetness!

Easy Italian Christmas Cookies

Recipe by CutsfoodCourse: Christmas, Snacks

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 2-3 tablespoons milk or water

• Food coloring (optional)

• Sprinkles for decoration

Directions

• Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Make the Icing: In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar with milk or water until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or liquid as needed. If using food coloring, divide the icing into bowls and add desired colors.
• Decorate: Once the cookies are cool, drizzle or spread the icing over the cookies and sprinkle with festive decorations. Allow the icing to set before serving.
• Enjoy: Your Easy Italian Christmas Cookies are ready to be enjoyed!