Description
Delight in these classic Italian Christmas Cookies, soft and tender treats glazed with a sweet vanilla icing and adorned with colorful sprinkles. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these cookies combine a delicate almond and vanilla flavor with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup assorted sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy, incorporating air to help create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the whole milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to infuse the dough with rich flavors.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix gently but thoroughly until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix to keep cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into smooth balls. Place them evenly spaced, about an inch apart, on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes until the bottoms turn lightly golden while the tops remain pale, indicating they are perfectly baked to maintain softness.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before glazing to ensure the icing adheres properly.
- Prepare Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and pourable to create a sweet, glossy coating.
- Glaze and Decorate: Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately sprinkle with assorted sprinkles before the glaze sets to add a festive touch.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 20 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading during baking.
- You can increase the almond extract for a more pronounced almond flavor or omit it if you prefer a milder taste.
- Glazed cookies should be stored in an airtight container and will keep fresh for up to 5 days.
