Italian Christmas Cookies
These treats have been passed down through generations, each family adding its own twist to the classic recipes.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Baking sheets
- Cooling Rack
- Zester or grater
- Rolling pin (optional)
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup chopped almonds optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 –3 tsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Take the butter out of the fridge and let it soften for about 30 minutes. Soft butter makes creaming much easier.
- Pre-measure your flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and extracts so everything is ready to go.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Pro Tip: Softened butter should be slightly springy when pressed—not melted. This gives the perfect texture to your cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar.
- Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Pro Tip: Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure even mixing.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Add vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest. Mix until evenly combined.
- Pro Tip: Using both vanilla and almond extract creates that classic Italian Christmas cookie flavor. Don’t skip either!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Pro Tip: Avoid overmixing here—overworked dough can make cookies tough. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated.
Step 5: Add Optional Mix-Ins
- Gently fold in chopped almonds or any other desired mix-ins using a spatula.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- For cut-out cookies, roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick and use cookie cutters to create festive shapes.
- Pro Tip: Lightly flour your rolling pin and surface to prevent sticking when making cut-outs.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Pro Tip: Don’t overbake! Cookies will firm up as they cool, keeping them soft and tender inside.
Step 8: Optional Glaze or Dusting
- Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice and vanilla to create a simple glaze.
- Drizzle over cooled cookies or dust with powdered sugar for a festive look.
- Pro Tip: If glazing, make sure cookies are completely cooled—otherwise, the glaze will melt and slide off.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving – 1 Cookie)
- Calories: 140
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 16g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 2g