If you're looking for a new cookie recipe to make during the holidays, look no further than these Easy Italian Christmas Cookies!
Just one bite of these festive cookies will have you wishing it was already Christmas! Made with butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and almond extract, they're sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
The best part? They're easy to customize with various shapes, sizes, and decorations!
Let me show you another Christmas Cookie Recipe you need to bake this holiday season.
Making your own Christmas cookies is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit! These easy Italian sugar Christmas cutout cookies are simple to make, and they taste delicious.
They're simple to make and taste delicious. Plus, they're perfect for any Christmas party, holiday cookie exchanges or family gathering.
Looking for more Easy cookie recipes? Try my Chocolate Christmas Cookies, Italian Christmas Tree Cookies or my Christmas Refrigerator Cookies.
Table of Contents
- What kind of Christmas cookies freeze well?
- Traditional Italian Christmas cookies
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Baking Tip
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
What kind of Christmas cookies freeze well?
Here are a few of the best Christmas cookies to freeze, just be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing to prevent them from drying out:
- Sugar cookies are perfect for freezing because they maintain their texture and shape well.
- Shortbread cookies are also a good choice because they freeze well and taste great straight from the freezer.
- No-bake cookies are a great option if you're short on time or don't want to deal with the hassle of baking.
Traditional Italian Christmas cookies
Traditional Italian Christmas cookies, like my Best Italian Cookies, are typically made with a type of shortbread dough that is flavored with lemon, almond or anise. The cookies are often shaped into various forms, such as crescent moons, stars, or shells.
They may also be decorated with icing, nuts, or candied fruit. While the specific ingredients and shapes vary from region to region, traditional Italian Christmas cookies are typically baked in advance of the holiday and stored in airtight containers.
On Christmas Eve, the cookies are then served as part of a dessert course or alongside a cup of coffee or tea. In some families, it is also customary to leave a plate of cookies out for Santa Claus.
Check out my grandmother's Ricotta Cookies.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Farberware Classic Wood Rolling Pin
Wilton Holiday Cookie Cutters, Set of 4Natural Colored Sanding Sugar Crystals (Red Sugar)Green Sparkling Sugar
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- You can substitute 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for the almond extract if you prefer.
- This recipe can be used all year long for different holidays. Simply change the shape of cookie cutter.
- Prepare a simple powdered sugar glaze to spread on the cookies if you want them to be a little fancier. Check out my other recipe for Sugar Christmas Cookies for the glaze used that would be a fun way to change this recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Using an electric mixer, combine together the butter and sugar.
Step 2: Add in the egg and almond extract.
Step 3: Then stir in the flour that's been combined with the baking powder.
Step 4: Add the flour gradually until everything is combined and dough is formed.
Step 5: Once the dough comes together, remove it from the mixing bowl and shape into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
Baking Tip
Chilling the dough helps to firm up the butter, which in turn prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also gives the flour a chance to absorb moisture, resulting in a more tender cookie.
Step 6: Roll out the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface or parchment paper. Begin cutting out shapes using your favorite cookie cutters.
Baking Instructions
Step 7: Place the cookie shapes on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush each cookie with the egg white and then decorate with red and green sanding sugar.
Step 8: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.
Before You Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Almond extract is a food flavoring made from the oil of roasted almonds. It is used in a variety of baking recipes, as well as in some savory dishes.
Storage Instructions
Pantry: Store the baked cookies in an airtight container in a dark cool place. You don't have to worry about the cookies sticking together while in the container. Although I still like to separate the layers with a piece of parchment paper. They should stay fresh for about 7 days.
Freezer: Freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet then once frozen, place in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper or wax paper in between layers. Freeze for 3-6 months.
Thaw: Keep the cookies in the container and allow them to come to room temperature when ready to enjoy.
More Recipes You'll Love!
- Check out my other recipe for 3 Ingredient Christmas Cookies.
- Or you might enjoy this recipe for The Cutest Christmas Lights Cookies.
📖 Recipe Card
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Easy Italian Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup butter softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
To Decorate the Cookies:
- 1 egg white
- red and green sanding sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
- Beat in the egg and almond extract.
- Slowly add the sifted flour and baking powder in a little at a time until everything is combined.
- Turn the dough out on a cutting board and shape it into a disc.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate an hour.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough.
- Arrange the cookie cutters on top of the dough and cut out the shapes.
- Repeat until there is no dough left.
- Place the cookies on parchment lined baking sheets.
- Brush each cookie with the beaten egg white. Then sprinkle the red and green sanding sugar on top.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.
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