Description
Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, sweet, and beautifully festive. They are the kind of classic holiday treat that disappears quickly from every Christmas cookie platter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7 g) baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
- ½ teaspoon (2 ml) almond extract, optional
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) milk
- ½ teaspoon (2 ml) vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (45 g) colorful Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and creamy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions, roll gently, and place them on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9–12 minutes, until the cookies are set but still pale.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until a smooth, thick icing forms.
- Dip or drizzle icing over cooled cookies and immediately add Christmas sprinkles.
- Allow icing to set completely before serving or storing.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Cooking
- Cuisine: American