Italian Christmas Cookies

Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, tender holiday cookies topped with a simple vanilla or almond glaze and festive sprinkles.

These classic Italian cookies are lightly sweet, easy to make, and perfect for gifting, sharing, or adding to your Christmas dessert table. They bring a cozy, homemade touch to any holiday celebration.

Print Pin

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Italian Christmas Cookies

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 25

Cool Time:: 15

Total Time: 1

Servings: Cookies

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

For the Cookies

1/2 cup salted butter melted and cooled
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour I always use King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs room temperature

For the Icing

1 tsp almond extract
2 cups powdered sugar sifted
2 –3 tbsp milk
Nonpareil sprinkles

Instructions

Mix Butter and Sugar:

In a bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until smooth.

Add Eggs and Almond Extract:

Stir in the eggs and almond extract until the mixture looks creamy.

Combine Dry Ingredients:

In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder.

Form the Dough:

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels sticky, add a little flour.

Shape the Cookies:

Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake:

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden.

Prepare the Icing:

Mix powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth.

Dip or Drizzle:

Dip the warm cookies into the icing or drizzle on top.

Decorate:

Add nonpareil sprinkles before the icing sets.

Notes

Make sure the butter has cooled before mixing.

The dough should feel soft, not sticky.

Let cookies cool slightly before icing to help the icing set.

Sift powdered sugar for a smooth finish.

Add sprinkles right after icing.

Nutrition