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Italian Christmas Cookies

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Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe

These delightful Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, sweet, and perfect for holiday gatherings. The cookies have a light vanilla flavor, and the sweet glaze topped with festive sprinkles adds a lovely touch of holiday cheer.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder

For the Icing:

  • 2 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 6 teaspoons water

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

  1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Mix in Flour: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until it becomes firm and easy to handle.
  5. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.

Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper.
  2. Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, cut off small portions of the dough. Roll each piece into a 6-inch strip, then twirl it into your desired shape (e.g., twists or knots).
  3. Bake: Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them slightly apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale.
  4. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on wire racks.
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Step 3: Prepare the Icing

  1. Mix the Icing: In a bowl, whisk together the sifted confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, and water until smooth. The icing should be thick but still runny enough to dip the cookies.

Step 4: Glaze the Cookies

  1. Dip the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, dip the tops into the icing, letting the excess drip off.
  2. Decorate: Place the glazed cookies back on the wire rack and immediately sprinkle them with festive sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.
  3. Set the Icing: Allow the cookies to sit until the icing hardens completely before storing or serving.

Tips for Success

  • Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip the step of chilling the dough. It helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
  • Even Baking: Keep an eye on the cookies while baking. The bottoms should turn golden, but the tops should remain light to keep the cookies soft.
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