Italian Christmas Cookies

Featured in Indulgent Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth.

Trying to find a standout holiday cookie? These Italian-style festive cookies are light, fluffy, and flavored delicately with anise. Perfect for gifts, dessert spreads, or holiday parties!

A man wearing a white shirt and suspenders holding a piece of paper.
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:56:26 GMT
A dish featuring cookies with white icing and joyful holiday sprinkles in red, green, and white tones. Pin it
A dish featuring cookies with white icing and joyful holiday sprinkles in red, green, and white tones. | chefmelt.com

Want to try incredible homemade Italian holiday treats? Our family's been whipping up these simple Italian holiday cookies for decades! These tasty little bites have just the right touch of anise flavor and a gorgeous topping that makes them look like they came from a fancy Italian shop. With my uncomplicated Italian treats guide, you'll be creating like a baking champ really fast.

Why These Stand Out

These homemade Italian holiday cookies are totally adaptable - form them into spheres, wrap them into cute ties, whatever you prefer! My simple Italian holiday cookies guide works perfectly if you're organizing seasonal presents or just wanting something sugary. The mix for these Italian treats is so easy to work with, even first-timers get awesome outcomes.

Your Ingredients

  • Butter: Gives our homemade Italian holiday cookies depth and softness.
  • Sugar: Using granulated and confectioners for ideal sweetness levels.
  • Eggs: Essential for these simple Italian treats.
  • Baking Powder: Creates that airy consistency.
  • Flour: The foundation of our Italian holiday cookies guide.
  • Salt: Only a dash!
  • Vanilla: Real extract tastes best.
  • Anise: The hidden element in genuine Italian treats.
  • Extra Sugar: For the lovely topping.

Baking Steps

Combine Your Mix
For amazing homemade Italian holiday cookies, begin by beating your butter and sugar till it's light. My grandma's simple Italian holiday cookies guide mentions taking your time here - it's crucial for tender treats!
Create Your Forms
This is where making Italian treats gets exciting! Form them into balls, twist into knots - my little ones enjoy helping with this section. Just coat your fingers with sugar so the simple Italian holiday cookies mix won't stick.
Baking Time
Place your homemade Italian holiday cookies in a 350°F oven. Look for those sides to become barely golden - around 10-12 minutes usually works.
Finishing Touches
After your Italian treats cool down, dunk them in that delicious topping and add colorful sprinkles. This makes our simple Italian holiday cookies guide results look super festive!

Nonna's Insider Tricks

Need flawless homemade Italian holiday cookies every attempt? Keep your mixture chilled while handling it. My simple Italian holiday cookies guide turns out best when you allow each group to cool fully before adding topping. And those colorful bits? Sprinkle them quickly before the coating hardens on your Italian treats!

Storage Solutions

These homemade Italian holiday cookies stay good in a container for roughly a week. Planning ahead? My simple Italian holiday cookies guide works great for freezing - just hold off on topping them until you're serving. I commonly prepare double amounts of Italian treats and save half for unexpected guests.

Festive Wonder

My homemade Italian holiday cookies always vanish first from seasonal sweet displays. This simple Italian holiday cookies guide has turned into our family custom - everybody looks forward to these Italian treats during December now. They're ideal for presenting, sharing, or enjoying alongside your morning brew!

A plate of festive cookies decorated with red and green sprinkles, with one cookie bitten to reveal its soft, cake-like interior. Pin it
A plate of festive cookies decorated with red and green sprinkles, with one cookie bitten to reveal its soft, cake-like interior. | chefmelt.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should the dough be chilled?

This step lets the butter firm up, making the dough more manageable and preventing the cookies from spreading excessively during baking.

→ Is anise extract necessary?

If you’re not a fan of anise, you can go with almond extract or just add extra vanilla. The taste will be different but still pretty tasty.

→ What’s the best way to store these cookies?

Once the glaze hardens, put them in a tightly closed container. They’ll stay good for a week at room temperature or up to three months in the freezer.

→ Can I prep the dough in advance?

Absolutely! You can leave it in the fridge for up to a day. Just let it sit for a little so it’s easier to roll into balls before baking.

→ Why do you use powdered sugar with the glass?

It stops the dough from sticking when you press the cookies flat while adding a slight dash of sweetness to the tops!

Italian Christmas Cookies

Tender, cake-like cookies with a hint of anise and vanilla, finished with a shiny glaze and colorful festive sprinkles.

Prep Time
50 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Dessert Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 36 Servings (36)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
02 1/2 cup powdered sugar.
03 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter.
04 3 large eggs.
05 3 teaspoons baking powder.
06 3 cups of all-purpose flour.
07 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
08 1/2 teaspoon anise extract.
09 1 teaspoon vanilla essence.
10 Extra powdered sugar for pressing.
11 3 tablespoons of milk.
12 2 cups confectioners' sugar.
13 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
14 Colorful sprinkles (nonpareils).

Instructions

Step 01

Toss together the flour, salt, and baking powder in one bowl and set it aside.

Step 02

Whip butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar together until fluffy.

Step 03

Blend in eggs one by one, followed by vanilla and anise.

Step 04

Gradually fold in the flour mixture, being careful not to overmix.

Step 05

Chill the dough for about an hour.

Step 06

Set the oven to 175°C (350°F) and prep a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 07

Roll the dough into round balls, about 2.5 cm wide.

Step 08

Dip a glass in powdered sugar and lightly flatten each dough ball.

Step 09

Bake the cookies for around 8–10 minutes.

Step 10

Leave the cookies to cool completely after baking.

Step 11

Sift confectioners’ sugar into a bowl.

Step 12

Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth.

Step 13

Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze.

Step 14

Scatter sprinkles on top while the glaze is still wet.

Step 15

Let the cookies sit until the glaze hardens completely.

Notes

  1. Chill dough so the cookies hold their shape while baking.
  2. You can swap anise extract with almond instead.
  3. Store them at room temp for up to a week.
  4. Freeze cookies for up to three months.
  5. You can make the dough a day in advance.
  6. Make sure the glaze has fully dried before storing them.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheets.
  • Glass for pressing cookies.
  • Mixing bowls.
  • Parchment paper.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Milk and butter (dairy products).
  • Wheat (contains gluten).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 120
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 2 g