Festive Italian Delight: Homemade Christmas Cookies, with Ingredients

The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and the delightful aroma of cookies baking in the oven. If you’re looking for a simple, delicious, and festive treat, Homemade Italian Christmas Cookies are the perfect addition to your celebrations. These soft, buttery cookies are topped with a light, sugary glaze and festive sprinkles, making them a standout treat for any holiday gathering or cookie exchange. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, these cookies are a true Italian delight that brings everyone together.

Let’s dive into this easy-to-follow recipe, and in no time, your kitchen will be filled with the magic of Christmas!

Why These Italian Christmas Cookies Are So Special

• Quick and Easy: Simple steps make this recipe perfect for all baking levels.
• Beautiful Presentation: The glaze and colorful sprinkles make them festive and fun.
• Versatile: Change up the flavors or decorations to suit any holiday or occasion.
• Perfect for Gifting: These cookies look and taste incredible, making them ideal for holiday gifts.
• Family Fun: A great recipe to enjoy with kids, who will love rolling the dough and adding sprinkles.

Ingredients for Italian Christmas Cookies

Here’s everything you need to make these soft and festive cookies:

For the Cookies

Ingredient	Quantity
All-purpose flour	2 cups
Granulated sugar	1/2 cup
Unsalted butter (softened)	1/2 cup
Large eggs	2
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
Almond extract	1/2 teaspoon
Baking powder	2 teaspoons
Salt	1/4 teaspoon

For the Glaze

Ingredient	Quantity
Powdered sugar	1 cup
Milk	2–3 tablespoons
Festive sprinkles	For decoration

What You’ll Need

To make this recipe even easier, gather the following kitchen tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Wire cooling rack
• Spoon or cookie scoop

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Making the dough is quick and simple. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, add the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat the mixture with a hand mixer or stand mixer for 2–3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.
2. Add the Eggs and Extracts: Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts, blending everything together until smooth.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Form the Dough: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. You should have a smooth, pliable dough. Be careful not to overmix!

Step 2: Shape the Cookies

Now that your dough is ready, it’s time to shape the cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Roll the Dough: Take small portions of dough (about the size of a walnut) and roll them into smooth, round balls using your hands.
3. Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

Baking these cookies to perfection ensures a soft, tender texture:

1. Bake Time: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes. The bottoms of the cookies should be lightly golden, while the tops remain pale.
2. Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

Step 4: Make the Glaze

The sweet, light glaze takes these cookies to the next level:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2–3 tablespoons of milk. Stir until you get a smooth, pourable glaze. If it’s too thick, add a few extra drops of milk.
2. Glaze the Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, letting any excess drip off. Place the cookies back on the cooling rack.
3. Decorate: Immediately add festive sprinkles to the glazed cookies before the glaze sets. This adds a colorful and fun holiday touch!

Step 5: Let Them Set

Once the cookies are glazed and decorated, let them sit for about 20–30 minutes to allow the glaze to fully set. This makes them easier to stack, store, or gift.

Tips for Perfect Italian Christmas Cookies

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs and butter for a smoother dough.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can make the cookies tough instead of soft.
• Flavor Variations: Try adding lemon or orange zest for a citrus twist.
• Custom Sprinkles: Use sprinkles that match different holidays for a versatile recipe.
• Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per cookie (glazed):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	120 kcal
Carbohydrates	18g
Fat	4g
Sugar	10g
Protein	2g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavor.

2. How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend.

3. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray, and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra minute to the bake time.

4. Can I use different flavors for the glaze?
Yes! Add a few drops of almond extract, lemon extract, or vanilla to the glaze for extra flavor.

5. How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for up to 7 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

6. Can I color the glaze?
Definitely! Add a drop or two of food coloring to create a festive red, green, or gold glaze.

Final Thoughts

These Festive Italian Delight: Homemade Christmas Cookies are everything you want in a holiday treat—soft, buttery, beautifully glazed, and bursting with festive cheer. Whether you’re baking with your family, sharing them as gifts, or adding them to your holiday dessert spread, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.

So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and create some sweet holiday memories. These cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a tradition worth sharing.

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