Description
Sweet memories of childhood come alive with these classic Italian Christmas Cookies, blending generations of family tradition and delicate flavors. Powdered sugar-dusted delights will transport you to festive kitchens in Italy, where love and warmth are baked into every tender, melt-in-your-mouth morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Glaze and Decoration:
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to a cozy 350F (175C), then line baking sheets with protective parchment or silicone mats.
- Create a delicate dry mixture by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, setting this foundation aside for later incorporation.
- Transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like, airy mixture by vigorously beating them until they become light and voluminous, roughly 2-3 minutes of dedicated mixing.
- Gently introduce eggs into the creamy base, incorporating them individually with careful strokes, then infuse the blend with vanilla and almond extracts for aromatic depth.
- Marry the dry and wet components by gradually folding the flour mixture into the liquid ingredients, alternating with milk to create a soft, cohesive dough that promises tender cookies.
- Craft petite spheres of dough using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, strategically positioning them on prepared baking sheets with generous spacing to allow graceful expansion.
- Nestle the cookie formation into the warm oven, allowing them to transform for 10-12 minutes until their bottoms acquire a delicate golden hue, maintaining their characteristic soft texture.
- Craft a luminous glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and extract, adjusting the consistency to achieve a smooth, glossy finish that will crown your delicate treats.
- Baptize each cooled cookie by gently dipping its surface into the glaze, allowing excess to cascade away, then immediately adorn with a playful sprinkle shower, permitting the glaze to set into a pristine, festive finish.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing without lumps.
- Use high-quality vanilla and almond extracts to elevate the cookie’s delicate flavor profile.
- Keep cookie sizes consistent for uniform baking and professional presentation.
- Glaze cookies immediately after cooling to prevent hardening and ensure maximum coverage.
- Replace almond extract with additional vanilla for nut-free dietary needs.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain cookie structure.
- For a festive twist, swap white sprinkles with red and green holiday varieties.
- Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment layers to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
- Reduce sugar by 25% if preferring less sweetness without compromising texture.
- Use a piping bag for more precise and decorative glaze application.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 36
- Calories: 143
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 36 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg