Description
Festive Italian Christmas Cookies showcase traditional holiday sweetness from Naples. Powdered sugar-dusted treats bring family memories and delightful flavors you’ll cherish during seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (720 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) butter (softened)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (optional)
Glaze and Decoration:
- 2 cups (480 ml) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (or water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, green, or any festive colors)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for even baking and easy cookie removal.
- Whip softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a cohesive dough forms.
- Shape the dough into small, uniform balls approximately 1 inch in diameter, placing them carefully on prepared baking sheets with sufficient spacing.
- Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
- Transfer cookies to wire cooling racks, allowing them to rest and firm up completely before decorating.
- Craft a smooth icing by whisking powdered sugar with milk, adjusting liquid to achieve desired consistency and separating into different bowls.
- Embellish cooled cookies by dipping tops into colored icing and sprinkling with festive decorations, then permit icing to set before serving.
Notes
- Choose room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better cookie texture, ensuring even mixing without lumps.
- Sift dry ingredients to prevent clumping and create a lighter, more uniform cookie consistency.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing colors that won’t thin out the glaze, giving a more professional decorative finish.
- Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain freshness and prevent sticking for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg