When the holiday season arrives, nothing says Christmas quite like a plate of beautiful Italian Christmas Cookies. These soft, pillowy treats topped with sweet almond glaze and festive red and green sprinkles have been a beloved tradition in Italian-American families for generations. Also known as Anginetti, these classic holiday cookies are the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie plate, cookie exchange, or holiday gift boxes. With their tender cake-like texture and irresistible sweetness, these Italian Christmas Cookies will disappear faster than you can say “Buon Natale!”
My Love Story with Italian Christmas Cookies
I still remember walking into my Nonna’s kitchen every December, the air thick with the sweet scent of vanilla and almond. There she would be, standing at her flour-dusted counter, rolling dozens of little dough balls with her weathered hands. The red tin with snowflakes on the lid sat waiting to be filled with her famous Italian Christmas Cookies—a recipe passed down from her mother in Sicily.
As a child, my job was sprinkling the colorful nonpareils on top of each freshly glazed cookie. I took this responsibility very seriously, making sure every cookie had the perfect amount of red and green sprinkles. My grandmother would smile and say, “Perfetto, piccola!” Those moments in her kitchen shaped my love for holiday baking and the importance of carrying on family traditions.
Years later, when I made my first batch of Italian Christmas Cookies in my own kitchen, the memories came flooding back. Now, every Christmas, I gather my children around the counter, pass them the jar of sprinkles, and watch their eyes light up just like mine did all those years ago. These cookies are more than just a recipe—they’re a connection to our heritage and the sweetest way to celebrate the season.
Why These Italian Christmas Cookies Are Special
What makes Italian Christmas Cookies stand out from other holiday treats? It’s all about that perfect combination of texture and flavor. Unlike crispy sugar cookies or chewy chocolate chip cookies, Italian Christmas Cookies have a unique cake-like texture that practically melts in your mouth. The secret is in the technique—creaming butter with sugar, adding eggs one at a time, and chilling the dough before baking.
Looking at the image of these festive cookies, you can see their characteristic dome shape, covered in smooth white glaze and dotted with cheerful red and green nonpareil sprinkles. Whether arranged on a beautiful red plate with a “For Santa” note or nestled in a festive red tin decorated with snowflakes, these cookies look absolutely stunning. The white glaze creates a delicate shell that keeps the inside incredibly moist while the colorful sprinkles add that unmistakable holiday cheer.
Ingredients for Italian Christmas Cookies
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (or anise extract for traditional flavor)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Almond Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3-4 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream for richer glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
For the Garnish:
- Red and green nonpareil sprinkles
- Christmas-colored jimmies or sugar crystals (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Italian Christmas Cookies
Making the Cookie Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The mixture may look slightly curdled—this is normal.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to handle. This step is crucial for preventing spreading!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookies are set but still pale on top. The bottoms should be very lightly golden. Do not overbake!
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth.
- The glaze should be thick but pourable—add more milk if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze, letting excess drip off.
Garnishing the Cookies:
- Immediately sprinkle the glazed cookies with red and green nonpareils while the glaze is still wet.
- Let the cookies set completely on a wire rack until the glaze hardens, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Store in an airtight container or serve on your favorite holiday platter!
Pro Tips for Perfect Italian Christmas Cookies
- Room temperature ingredients are essential—cold butter and eggs won’t cream properly
- Don’t skip the chilling step! Cold dough holds its shape better during baking
- The biggest secret: DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven
- Work in batches when glazing—the glaze hardens quickly, so only glaze 10 cookies at a time
- Add sprinkles immediately after glazing while still wet, or they won’t stick
- Use pure almond extract, not imitation, for the best authentic flavor
Nutritional Information for Italian Christmas Cookies
Per cookie (approximately 36 cookies): Calories: 95 | Protein: 1g | Carbohydrates: 16g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 45mg | Sugar: 10g. These are a sweet holiday treat meant to be enjoyed in moderation during the festive season!
Presentation Tips for Italian Christmas Cookies
These cookies deserve a beautiful presentation! Arrange them on a red or green holiday platter, or nestle them in a festive tin decorated with snowflakes—perfect for gifting. For a charming touch, add a handwritten “For Santa” note beside the cookie plate on Christmas Eve. Stack them in a pyramid shape on a cake stand for an impressive dessert table display. When packaging for gifts, use clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbon, or arrange them in decorative Christmas boxes with tissue paper.
Perfect Pairings for Italian Christmas Cookies
Beverage Pairings
These sweet cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of espresso, cappuccino, or Italian hot chocolate. For a festive twist, serve alongside eggnog, mulled wine, or a creamy amaretto coffee. Children will love dunking them in cold milk or hot cocoa!
Cookie Platter Companions
Build the ultimate Italian Christmas cookie platter by pairing these with biscotti, pizzelle, rainbow cookies, pignoli cookies, and anise biscuits. The variety of textures and flavors creates an authentic Italian bakery experience at home.
Variations and Substitutions for Italian Christmas Cookies
- Anise flavor: Replace almond extract with anise extract for the traditional licorice-like Italian cookie taste
- Lemon twist: Use lemon extract and add lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy version
- Orange almond: Add orange zest to complement the almond flavor beautifully
- Vanilla only: Skip the almond extract and use 2 teaspoons vanilla for a simpler flavor
- Ricotta cookies: Add 1 cup ricotta cheese to the dough for extra-soft, pillowy texture
- Different sprinkles: Use pastel colors for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or rainbow for birthdays
- Crushed candy canes: Top with crushed peppermint candy for a minty holiday twist
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Italian Christmas Cookies store beautifully, making them perfect for holiday prep! Store glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week—the glaze actually helps keep them fresh. Layer cookies between sheets of wax paper to prevent sticking. To freeze, store unglazed cookies in freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then glaze and decorate. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
FAQs About Italian Christmas Cookies
Q: Why did my Italian Christmas cookies spread too much?
A: This usually happens when the dough isn’t chilled enough or the butter was too soft. Always chill the dough for at least 1 hour, and make sure your butter is softened but not melted.
Q: Why are my cookies dry instead of soft?
A: Overbaking is the number one cause of dry Italian Christmas cookies. Remove them from the oven when they still look slightly underdone—they’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet. Watch them closely after 8 minutes!
Q: Can I make Italian Christmas Cookies without almond extract?
A: Yes! You can substitute vanilla extract, anise extract, lemon extract, or orange extract. Each gives a delicious but different flavor profile.
Q: How do I get the glaze smooth and not lumpy?
A: Always sift your powdered sugar before mixing. Add the liquid gradually and whisk until completely smooth. If lumps remain, strain the glaze through a fine-mesh sieve.
Q: Can I use butter instead of shortening?
A: Absolutely! This recipe uses butter for better flavor. Some traditional recipes use shortening or a combination. Butter gives a richer taste while shortening makes slightly softer cookies.
Important Notes for Italian Christmas Cookies
- Yield: This recipe makes approximately 36 cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes plus 1 hour chilling
- Bake Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: About 2 hours including chilling and glazing
- Difficulty: Easy—perfect for bakers of all skill levels
Conclusion: A Sweet Holiday Tradition
Italian Christmas Cookies are more than just a delicious treat—they’re a beautiful tradition that brings families together during the holiday season. With their soft, cake-like texture, sweet almond glaze, and festive sprinkles, these cookies capture the magic of Christmas in every bite. Whether you’re continuing a family tradition passed down through generations or starting a new one of your own, these cookies are guaranteed to become a holiday favorite. Set out a plate for Santa, share them at your cookie exchange, or box them up as heartfelt homemade gifts. However you choose to enjoy them, these Italian Christmas Cookies will fill your home with warmth, sweetness, and the true spirit of the season.
My Personal Tip: Make a double batch! These cookies are so beloved that they disappear quickly. I always freeze half the dough unbaked so I can have fresh Italian Christmas Cookies ready whenever unexpected guests arrive during the holidays. Buon Natale and happy baking!