The Ultimate Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe to Sweeten Your Holidays

Sweet memories of holiday gatherings often revolve around these delightful italian christmas cookies that melt in your mouth.

Grandmothers across italy have perfected this cherished recipe through generations of love and tradition.

Soft, powdery, and dusted with sugar, each bite transports you to cozy kitchen moments.

Festive baking creates connections that warm hearts and bring smiles to everyone around the table.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these treats irresistible for any celebration.

Subtle almond and vanilla notes dance through the dough, promising pure comfort.

Gather your ingredients and let the baking magic begin!

Key Ingredients for Italian Christmas Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie texture.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture and subtle tangy flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structural component of cookies.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become light.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to baking sheet.

How to Bake Classic Italian Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up A Creamy Base

Grab your mixer and combine butter and sugar, beating until the mixture becomes light and airy. Pour in eggs and vanilla, blending everything until smooth and perfectly integrated.

Step 2: Create The Cookie Dough

In a separate bowl, blend flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently. Fold in ricotta cheese until the dough reaches a consistent texture.

Step 3: Chill And Prepare

Place the dough in the refrigerator and let it rest for one hour. While waiting, preheat your oven to 350°F. This resting period helps develop deeper flavors and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 4: Shape And Bake Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into small round balls. Arrange them on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie. Slide the sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden color.

Step 5: Cool And Enjoy

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.

Kitchen Wisdom for Italian Christmas Cookies

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate for at least an hour to prevent spreading and ensure soft, tender cookies with perfect shape.
• Handle Ricotta Carefully: Drain excess moisture from ricotta using a cheesecloth to prevent soggy cookie texture and maintain ideal consistency.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to make evenly sized balls, ensuring consistent baking and professional-looking results.
• Master Baking Timing: Watch cookies closely during last few minutes of baking; golden edges indicate perfectly cooked Italian Christmas cookies with a delicate crumb.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain freshness.

How To Keep Italian Christmas Cookies Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Remove from freezer, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cookies will return to soft, delicate texture.
• Warm briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore just-baked warmth and softness.

Treats That Go with Italian Christmas Cookies

• Savor Creamy Espresso Pairing: Rich, bold espresso cuts through the cookie's sweetness, creating a classic Italian coffee moment.
• Match with Moscato Wine: Delicate, sweet Moscato complements the cookie's soft texture and enhances its subtle vanilla notes.
• Garnish with Candied Citrus: Bright, zesty candied orange or lemon peel adds a traditional Italian touch, balancing the cookie's richness.
• Create Gelato Accompaniment: Smooth vanilla or almond gelato provides a luxurious contrast to the cookie's tender crumb.

Fun Shapes and Flavors for Italian Christmas Cookies

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for those with celiac disease or wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute ricotta with coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt alternative to make cookies suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Low-Sugar Version: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of traditional sugar, reducing overall calorie and glycemic impact for health-conscious bakers.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, and use plant-based butter to create a completely animal-product-free holiday cookie.

FAQs

• What gives these Italian Christmas cookies their unique texture?

The ricotta cheese adds incredible moisture and softness to the cookies, creating a delicate and tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

• Are these cookies difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! These cookies are surprisingly simple, with basic ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that even novice bakers can successfully prepare.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking, which actually helps develop deeper flavors and makes the dough easier to handle.

• What is the best way to shape these cookies for a traditional look?

Gently roll the dough into small uniform balls about 1-inch in diameter, which ensures even baking and gives the cookies a classic, traditional Italian appearance.

What Brings Joy in Italian Christmas Cookies

• Whip Up Effortless Delight: These Italian Christmas cookies are incredibly simple to make, with basic ingredients and straightforward steps that even novice bakers can master with confidence.
• Embrace Festive Family Fun: Perfect for holiday gatherings, these cookies bring everyone together in the kitchen, creating memorable moments while preparing a delicious treat that everyone will love.
• Customize with Creative Flair: Add your personal touch by experimenting with different glazes, sprinkles, or frosting designs, making each batch unique and tailored to your family's taste preferences.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: The ricotta cheese creates an incredibly soft, tender cookie that practically dissolves on your tongue, offering a luxurious and indulgent dessert experience.

Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Italian Christmas Cookies bring sweet holiday cheer with their delicate, powdery texture and rich nostalgic flavor. Generations of family traditions shine through these simple yet elegant treats that connect you to authentic Italian culinary warmth.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 15-ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (226 grams) butter, softened
• 2 eggs

Dry Ingredients:

• 4 cups (480 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Flavor Enhancer:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a creamy texture that incorporates air for a fluffy consistency.
2. Introduce eggs and pure vanilla extract, carefully mixing until thoroughly combined and the batter appears smooth and uniform.
3. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate vessel, ensuring no lumps remain.
4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to maintain the delicate air bubbles.
5. Gently fold in fresh ricotta cheese, blending until evenly distributed throughout the dough without overmixing.
6. Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm up.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy removal.
8. Using clean hands or a small scoop, form the chilled dough into uniform round balls, placing them carefully on the prepared baking sheets with slight spacing between each cookie.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for a delicate golden edge that indicates perfect doneness.
10. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, more consistent mixing and better texture.
• Add festive variations by incorporating citrus zest or almond extract for a holiday twist.
• Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for quick, fresh cookies anytime during the season.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 183
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg