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The Ultimate Guide to the Best Italian Christmas Cookies

Italian Christmas Cookies
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These Best Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, buttery, and delicately flavored with almond. A light glaze and colorful sprinkles make them festive and perfect for gifting or serving at holiday gatherings. The recipe is simple, reliable, and yields melt-in-your-mouth cookies that stay tender for days.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup salted butter, melted and cooled (or unsalted butter plus ¼ tsp salt)

  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 3 large eggs, room temperature

  • 1½ tsp almond extract

  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

  • 2–3 tbsp milk

  • 1 tsp almond extract

  • Nonpareil sprinkles for decoration

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Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder until evenly combined.
  2. In a large bowl, beat melted butter until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, and almond extract, mixing until just combined even if the mixture looks slightly separated.
  3. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stopping as soon as a dough forms. Chill for 1 hour to make shaping easier.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart.
  5. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until tops are set but not browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. Whisk powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk, adding more as needed for a smooth glaze. Stir in almond extract.
  7. Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, let excess drip off, and decorate immediately with sprinkles. Allow glaze to set before storing.

Notes

  • Use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend with xanthan gum for a gluten-free option.
  • For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and almond or oat milk.
  • Swap almond extract for vanilla, anise, or lemon extract for flavor variety.
  • Do not overbake—cookies should remain pale for a soft texture.
  • Freeze baked cookies (unfrosted) for up to 3 months; glaze after thawing for the best presentation.

Find it online: https://www.cookwithbenchi.com/best-italian-christmas-cookies/