Introduction
Italiаn Christmas traditions have a long story of warmth , family , and some cozy gatherings that really mix into the way people live . One big part of this is baking and sharing cookies at the holidays . These sweet treats are like little symbols of how Italians shows kindness , love , and pure joy . When families bake them , they’re making memories that stick around way after last crumb disappear . It’s not just cooking , it’s a celebration of giving , and the fun of being together .
All across Italy , you’ll find a huge range of holiday cookies , each area showing off its own style and flavor . From the crunchy biscotti to the delicate pizzelle , there’s so many types to try that it feels like a tour through Italу’s food history . Struffoli , amaretti , and ricciarelli are just a few more that bring extra cheer—each bite tastes like a bit of Italy’s big cooking world . As families gets together in the kitchen , they share old recipes full of stories , making every batch even more special for the season . These cookies aren’t only about taste , they’re a hug of family tradition , festivity , and Italian holiday magic .
Italian Christmas Cookies
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 electric mixer or whisk
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 parchment paper
- 1 rolling pin
- 1 cookie cutter (optional)
- 1 cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds or hazelnuts)
- ½ cup candied fruit or raisins (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat well until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts and candied fruit or raisins if using. Mix until evenly distributed.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to about ½ inch thick. Cut out cookies using a cookie cutter or your chosen shape.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Once completely cooled, dust with powdered sugar.
