🇮🇹 Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe
Yields: About 3 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
🧈 Ingredients
For the cookies:
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3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tbsp baking powder
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½ tsp salt
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¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
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¾ cup sugar
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4 large eggs
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2 tsp vanilla extract (or almond/anise extract for traditional flavor)
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Zest of 1 lemon (optional, but adds a nice brightness)
For the glaze:
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2 cups powdered sugar
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2–3 tbsp milk (more or less for desired thickness)
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½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
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Festive sprinkles (nonpareils or jimmies)
👩🍳 Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Cream butter and sugar: In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
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Add eggs and flavoring: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla (or almond/anise extract) and lemon zest.
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Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture until a soft dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but workable.
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Shape cookies: Roll small balls (about 1 inch) or form into short logs, knots, or rings. Place on prepared baking sheet.
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Bake: 10–12 minutes, until cookies are just lightly golden on the bottom. Do not overbake — they should stay soft.
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Cool & glaze: Let cookies cool slightly. Dip tops into the glaze, place on a rack, and decorate immediately with sprinkles. Allow glaze to set before storing.
🎁 Tips
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For extra festive flavor, add a bit of rum or amaretto to the glaze.
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Store in airtight containers — they actually taste better the next day!
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They freeze beautifully (un-glazed or glazed).
Would you like me to generate an image of Italian Christmas cookies (e.g., soft glazed cookies with colorful sprinkles on a holiday tray)?
