Don’t get us wrong—we love
cookies with plenty of icing—but the smooth, almond-flavored glaze on these Italian Christmas cookies is really what sets these sweet treats apart from other classic Christmas cookies. We add ricotta to the dough in our recipe, making every bite of these Italian cookies as soft and fluffy as can be. The best part about these treats? While they’re perfect for celebrating the holidays, they’re also versatile enough to be an ideal easy dessert year round. Keep reading on to learn exactly how to make these adorable Christmas treats:
Can I add almond extract?
Absolutely! If you can’t get enough of the almond flavor, feel free to add it (or even a bit more) into the cookie. Lemon lover? Swap out the almond extract and add the zest of a lemon and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to add a fresh, bright kick to these cookies.
How to decorate Italian Christmas cookies:
If you’re looking to stay with the Christmas spirit, top with festive red, green, and white sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Or, if you’re not making these cookies not during the holidays, feel free to use colorful sprinkles instead.
Can I make these ahead of time?
If you’d like to make them in advance, the baked cookies (without the icing) can be stored in the freezer for around 1 month.
Storing Italian Christmas cookies:
Store any leftover cookies you may have in an airtight container on the counter or in the refrigerator for around 5 to 7 days.
Made these? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
Don’t get us wrong—we love
cookies with plenty of icing—but the smooth, almond-flavored glaze on these Italian Christmas cookies is really what sets these sweet treats apart from other classic Christmas cookies. We add ricotta to the dough in our recipe, making every bite of these Italian cookies as soft and fluffy as can be. The best part about these treats? While they’re perfect for celebrating the holidays, they’re also versatile enough to be an ideal easy dessert year round. Keep reading on to learn exactly how to make these adorable Christmas treats:
Can I add almond extract?
Absolutely! If you can’t get enough of the almond flavor, feel free to add it (or even a bit more) into the cookie. Lemon lover? Swap out the almond extract and add the zest of a lemon and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to add a fresh, bright kick to these cookies.
How to decorate Italian Christmas cookies:
If you’re looking to stay with the Christmas spirit, top with festive red, green, and white sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Or, if you’re not making these cookies not during the holidays, feel free to use colorful sprinkles instead.
Can I make these ahead of time?
If you’d like to make them in advance, the baked cookies (without the icing) can be stored in the freezer for around 1 month.
Storing Italian Christmas cookies:
Store any leftover cookies you may have in an airtight container on the counter or in the refrigerator for around 5 to 7 days.
Made these? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
- Yields:
-
30
- Prep Time:
-
10 mins
- Total Time:
- 45 mins
Directions
-
- Step 1
Make the cookies: Adjust an oven rack to center position and preheat the oven to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 3In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together on medium speed the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 4Add in the ricotta, vanilla, almond extract, if using, and egg and continue to mix until smooth. (The batter will be quite wet.)
- Step 5Add the dry ingredients and mix just to combine.
- Step 6Portion the dough into approximately 1½ tablespoon portions (or use a medium cookie scoop) onto the parchment spaced 2” apart. Bake for 15 minutes. (The tops will remain pale while the bottoms turn golden brown.) Cool the cookies on a wire rack with parchment paper underneath.
- Step 7Make the icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Whisk in the almond extract, if using. Spoon the icing over the cookies, and top with sprinkles while the icing is still wet.
- Step 1
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