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Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies

These tender, lightly sweet cookies are drizzled with a glossy glaze and perfect for the holiday season. They can be shaped into knots, balls, or twists, making them a festive treat for any dessert table.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Cookie, Dessert
Cuisine: Christmas, Italian
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened or substitute with a neutral oil for oil-based cookies
  • 1 cup granulated sugar creamed with butter until pale and fluffy or whisked with oil until glossy
  • 2 large eggs beaten in one at a time until smooth
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for flavor
  • 1 tablespoon lemon or orange zest choose one for a bright note
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour whisked with baking powder and a pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder for leavening
  • 1 pinch salt to balance flavors
For the Glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar for the glaze base
  • 2 tablespoons milk to thin the glaze
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon juice for flavor in the glaze

Method
 

Preparing the Dough
  1. In a large bowl, cream softened butter with sugar until pale and fluffy, or whisk oil with sugar until glossy.
  2. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth.
  3. Add vanilla and your choice of lemon or orange zest.
  4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Stir dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two additions to form a soft, slightly tacky dough.
  6. Chill the dough for 20 to 30 minutes to help with shaping.
Baking the Cookies
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Pinch off small pieces of dough and shape into 1-inch balls or small ropes.
  3. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space in between.
  4. Bake until the bottoms are lightly golden and the tops are set, about 10-12 minutes.
Making the Glaze
  1. While cookies cool, mix together powdered sugar with milk and vanilla or lemon juice until thick yet pourable.
  2. Dip warm cookies face-down into the glaze or spoon glaze on top, then sprinkle immediately.
  3. Let cookies dry at room temperature.

Notes

Chill dough for easier shaping and avoid overbaking to keep cookies tender. Store in an airtight container once dry to keep them soft.