Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe

Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, tender, and topped with a sweet glaze and festive sprinkles. These cookies are a holiday tradition, perfect for sharing with family and friends. They have a light, cake-like texture and a hint of vanilla and almond flavor, making them a must-have for your Christmas cookie tray.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Simple ingredients and easy to make.
Perfect for holiday gifting and cookie exchanges.
Customizable with different colors and sprinkles.

Ingredients

For the Cookies

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract (optional)
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup milk

For the Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
3–4 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

1. Make the Cookie Dough

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla and almond extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, until a soft dough forms.

2. Shape and Bake

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into small balls.
Place on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between cookies.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
Let cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.

3. Prepare the Glaze

In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze.
Immediately decorate with sprinkles.

4. Let the Cookies Set

Place cookies on a wire rack and allow the glaze to set before storing.

Tips and Variations

Flavor twist: Add lemon or orange zest to the dough for a citrus flavor.
Gluten-free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months.
Holiday theme: Use red and green sprinkles for a festive Christmas look.

These Italian Christmas Cookies are a soft, sweet, and colorful addition to any holiday dessert table. Perfect with coffee or hot cocoa, they bring classic holiday flavor to every bite.