Description
Celebrate the holiday season with Festive Italian Holiday Cookies, a buttery, sweet treat decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles. Perfect for family gatherings, cookie swaps, or as edible gifts, these cookies bring festive cheer to your dessert table. The combination of almond and vanilla extracts with an optional hint of lemon zest gives them a unique flavor that’s sure to delight.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (optional)
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, green, or other festive hues)
- Sprinkles (to decorate)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest (if using).
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft, pliable dough forms.
2. Shape the Cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Alternatively, shape the dough into crescents or festive holiday forms using cookie cutters.
- Arrange the dough shapes on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
3. Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Icing:
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to create your desired festive hues.
5. Decorate the Cookies:
- Dip the tops of the cookies into the icing or drizzle it over using a spoon.
- Sprinkle with holiday-themed decorations such as edible glitter or sprinkles while the icing is still wet.
- Let the icing set completely before serving or storing the cookies.
Notes
- Quick to Prepare: Ready in just over an hour.
- Customizable: Choose your favorite icing colors and decorations.
- Perfect for Sharing: Pack beautifully for gifting or gatherings.
- Soft and Tender Texture: Lightly golden bottoms with a sweet, creamy topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian