Italian Christmas Cookies are a beloved holiday tradition, known for their tender, cake-like texture, delicate anise flavor, and colorful glaze. Topped with festive sprinkles, these cookies are simple, nostalgic, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange or creating a beautiful dessert platter, this classic recipe will bring warmth to every bite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Italian Christmas Cookies
- 🎄 Perfectly soft & fluffy – like mini sponge cakes
- 🌿 Light anise flavor – aromatic, not overpowering
- 🍬 Festive glaze & sprinkles – classic Italian holiday touch
- ⏱️ Quick to make – ready in under 1 hour
- 🎁 Great for gifting – they keep well and look beautiful
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp anise extract (optional but traditional)
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2–3 tbsp milk (as needed for soft dough)
For the Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla or anise extract
- Rainbow nonpareils or holiday sprinkles
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla and anise extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, adding a tablespoon of milk at a time to form a soft, sticky dough. Chill for 15 minutes if too sticky to handle.
2. Shape & Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until set and lightly golden on the bottom.
Let cookies cool completely on wire racks.
3. Glaze & Decorate
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and extract until smooth.
Dip the top of each cookie into the glaze and place back on the rack.
Immediately top with sprinkles before the glaze sets. Let dry completely.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Decorating Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: ~45–50 minutes
- Yield: ~30 cookies
Nutrition Facts (Approx. per cookie)
- Calories: 85
- Fat: 3.5g
- Carbs: 12g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 1g
Tips & Variations
- 💡 No anise? Try almond, lemon, or orange extract instead
- 🌈 Use seasonal sprinkles to match any holiday
- ❄️ Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week
- 🧊 Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months; glaze after thawing
- 🎂 Try shaping into twists or rings for a traditional Italian look
Italian Christmas Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheets
- – Wire racks
Ingredients
- #### For the Cookies:
- – ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- – ½ cup granulated sugar
- – 3 large eggs
- – 1 tsp vanilla extract
- – 1 tsp anise extract optional
- – 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- – 2 tsp baking powder
- – ¼ tsp salt
- – 2–3 tbsp milk
- #### For the Glaze:
- – 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- – 2–3 tbsp milk
- – ½ tsp vanilla or anise extract
- – Rainbow or holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add extracts.
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt separately. Add to wet ingredients.
- Add milk to form a soft dough. Chill if too sticky.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
- Place on parchment-lined sheet. Bake 10–12 mins. Cool completely.
- Whisk glaze ingredients. Dip cookie tops and sprinkle immediately.
- Let glaze set before serving or storing.
Notes
– Let glaze fully dry before storing
– Freeze unglazed cookies for longer storage
FAQs
Are Italian Christmas Cookies supposed to be soft?
Yes! They’re soft, almost cake-like cookies with a delicate crumb and light glaze.
Can I make these without anise?
Absolutely. Vanilla or lemon extract are both excellent alternatives.
How long do they last?
Stored in a cool, airtight container, they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, freeze the unglazed cookies and glaze when ready to serve for best texture.
Conclusion
These Italian Christmas Cookies are a true holiday classic—soft, sweet, lightly flavored, and joyfully festive. Whether you’ve been baking them for generations or this is your first time, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Don’t forget to double the batch… they disappear fast!