25 Amazing Italian Cookie Recipes You Need to Try

Italian cookies bring centuries of tradition to your kitchen with incredible flavors and textures. These beloved recipes range from crispy biscotti to soft ricotta cookies.

Each cookie tells a story of Italian heritage, using simple ingredients like almonds, anise, and sesame seeds to create unforgettable treats.

01. Classic Waffle Pizzelles

This ancient cookie uses a special pizzelle press to create intricate waffle patterns. Basic ingredients include eggs, flour, sugar, and vanilla or anise flavoring.

The press heats up like a waffle iron and creates delicate, crispy cookies. Each cookie takes just minutes to cook perfectly golden.

This method looks impressive but works great for beginners with the right equipment. Perfect for holidays and special occasions.

02. Sesame-Crusted Queen Biscuits

These small Italian cookies get completely coated in sesame seeds before baking. The dough uses butter, sugar, eggs, and flour for a tender base.

Rolling the shaped cookies in sesame seeds creates a nutty, crunchy exterior. The seeds toast beautifully during baking for extra flavor.

This version offers perfect salty-sweet balance that cookie lovers adore. Great for people who enjoy unique flavor combinations.

03. Bite-Sized Italian Cream Cookies

These miniature treats capture all the flavors of Italian cream cake in cookie form. The recipe uses coconut, pecans, and cream cheese for richness.

Each cookie gets topped with cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts. This creates the perfect bite-sized dessert experience.

This method works great for parties since they’re easy to serve. You get bakery-quality results with simple techniques.

04. Traditional Almond Amaretti

These nutty cookies use almond paste or marzipan as the main ingredient. Sugar, egg whites, and amaretto create the classic chewy texture.

The cookies crack beautifully on top while staying soft inside. This technique creates the signature amaretti appearance and texture.

This version takes more time but creates authentic Italian results. Perfect for almond lovers and gluten-free diets.

05. Fluffy Anisette Drop Cookies

These light cookies use anise extract for distinctive licorice flavor. The dough includes eggs, sugar, flour, and baking powder for fluffiness.

A simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk tops each cookie. The glaze sets perfectly and adds extra sweetness.

This method creates very light, cake-like cookies in minimal time. Great for people who love unique, traditional flavors.

06. Colorful Wedding Bar Cookies

These tri-colored bars use almond paste, jam, and chocolate layers. Each layer gets spread separately and baked together for beautiful results.

The top gets covered in chocolate while the middle features raspberry or apricot jam. This creates stunning visual appeal and flavor contrast.

This version takes patience but works perfectly for celebrations. Traditionally served at weddings and holiday gatherings.

07. Soft Italian Butter Cookies

This family recipe uses butter, sugar, eggs, and flour for tender cookies. Vanilla extract and a touch of lemon create classic Italian flavors.

The dough stays soft and easy to work with for shaping. Each cookie bakes up light and fluffy with perfect texture.

This method works great for beginners who want authentic results. Perfect for recreating grandmother’s traditional recipes.

08. Simple Six-Ingredient Italian Cookies

These basic cookies use just six ingredients including flour, sugar, eggs, and oil. The simple recipe comes together in about thirty minutes total.

The cookies bake up light and fluffy with subtle sweetness. This technique proves that simple ingredients create amazing results.

This version works perfectly for quick baking sessions. Great when you need homemade cookies without complicated ingredients.

09. Festive Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

This colorful biscotti combines dried cranberries and pistachios in traditional twice-baked dough. The fruit and nuts create beautiful color contrast.

The double-baking method creates the signature crunchy texture. First baking forms logs, second baking creates individual crispy slices.

This version looks gorgeous and tastes amazing with coffee. Perfect for holiday gift-giving and special occasions.

10. Traditional Fig-Filled Cookies

These labor-intensive cookies feature homemade fig filling wrapped in tender pastry dough. The filling uses dried figs, nuts, and warm spices.

Each cookie gets carefully shaped and sealed before baking. This traditional technique creates beautiful, authentic Italian treats.

This method takes significant time but creates freezer-friendly results. Perfect for making ahead during busy holiday seasons.

11. Anise Sesame Butter Cookies

These butter cookies get completely covered in sesame seeds after shaping. Anise extract provides distinctive Italian flavoring throughout the dough.

Rolling warm cookies in sesame seeds creates perfect coating coverage. The seeds stick beautifully and toast during baking.

This version fills your kitchen with amazing aromas while baking. Great for people who love traditional anise flavoring.

12. Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Sticks

This Italian twist on snickerdoodles uses traditional biscotti techniques with cinnamon-sugar coating. The dough includes butter, eggs, and warm spices.

Each cookie gets rolled in cinnamon sugar before the final baking. This creates sweet, crunchy coating on every surface.

This method combines two beloved cookie styles perfectly. Perfect for cinnamon lovers who enjoy crispy textures.

13. Festive Easter Celebration Cookies

These holiday cookies use traditional Italian ingredients like ricotta cheese and citrus zest. Colorful icing makes them perfect for Easter celebrations.

The ricotta keeps cookies incredibly soft while citrus adds bright flavor. Simple icing in pastel colors completes the festive look.

This version creates authentic family tradition cookies. Great for holiday cookie exchanges and special family gatherings.

14. Sweet Cherry Ravioli Cookies

These unique cookies look like tiny ravioli filled with cherry preserves. The pasta-like dough wraps around sweet fruit filling perfectly.

Each cookie gets carefully sealed and shaped like miniature ravioli. This creative technique makes impressive conversation-starter desserts.

This method works with any fruit preserves you prefer. Perfect for people who love creative, unusual cookie presentations.

15. Soft Holiday Butterball Cookies

This old family recipe creates smooth, chewy cookies with perfect sweetness. Butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla create the classic flavor profile.

The cookies get rolled in powdered sugar while still warm. This technique creates beautiful white coating and extra sweetness.

This version works perfectly for holiday traditions year-round. Great for people who love soft, melt-in-your-mouth textures.

16. Bakery-Style Italian Butter Cookies

These authentic cookies recreate New York Italian bakery flavors at home. Rich butter, eggs, and vanilla create the signature taste and texture.

The dough pipes beautifully through star tips for classic bakery shapes. This technique creates professional-looking results every time.

This method brings authentic Italian-American bakery experience home. Perfect for people missing their favorite neighborhood bakery.

17. Tangy Ricotta Drop Cookies

Fresh ricotta cheese makes these cookies incredibly fluffy with subtle tangy flavor. Sugar, eggs, and flour complete the simple ingredient list.

The ricotta adds moisture and creates cake-like texture throughout. Simple glaze on top adds sweetness and beautiful finish.

This version surprises people with unexpected delicious tanginess. Great for using up leftover ricotta from other recipes.

18. Chewy Italian Almond Cookies

These cookies use almond paste and extract for intense nutty flavor. The texture stays perfectly chewy with slightly crispy edges.

Sliced almonds on top add extra crunch and visual appeal. This technique creates bakery-quality presentation and taste.

This method creates cookies that rival European bakery standards. Perfect for almond lovers seeking authentic Italian flavors.

19. Historic Ricciarelli Almond Cookies

These 14th-century cookies use ground almonds and powdered sugar for traditional texture. Egg whites bind everything together without flour.

The cookies crack beautifully on top while staying soft inside. Powdered sugar coating creates the signature white appearance.

This version brings centuries of Italian tradition to modern kitchens. Perfect for special occasions and historical baking experiences.

20. Mini Italian Cheesecake Cookies

These bite-sized treats use cream cheese, eggs, and sugar in mini muffin tins. Each cookie tastes like individual miniature cheesecake.

Toppings like fruit, nuts, or chocolate sauce customize each cookie perfectly. This technique creates impressive party desserts easily.

This method works great for entertaining large groups. Perfect for people who love cheesecake in convenient cookie form.

21. Customizable Amaretti Biscotti

This adaptable recipe works with almond or anise extract plus optional chocolate chips. The base uses traditional biscotti ingredients and techniques.

Double-baking creates perfect coffee-dunking texture every time. The second baking ensures proper crunchiness without burning.

This version lets you customize flavors to personal preferences. Great for experimenting with different extract and mix-in combinations.

22. Crunchy Almond Cantuccini

These traditional Tuscan cookies feature whole almonds in twice-baked dough. The nuts stay crunchy while the cookie develops perfect texture.

Serving with hot coffee creates the authentic Italian experience. The cookies soften slightly when dipped but maintain great crunch.

This method creates addictively crunchy results that disappear quickly. Perfect for coffee lovers seeking authentic Italian traditions.

23. Delicate Tuscan Biscotti

These refined cookies use traditional Tuscan techniques for subtle, delicate flavors. Almonds and citrus zest provide gentle taste complexity.

The double-baking method requires careful timing for perfect crunchiness. Slightly longer second baking creates extra-crispy results.

This version impresses friends and family with authentic Italian flavors. Great for people who appreciate subtle, sophisticated cookie tastes.

24. Crescent-Shaped Nut Horns

These traditional cookies use ground nuts in tender dough shaped into crescents. Walnuts or pecans work perfectly for the filling.

Rolling warm cookies in granulated sugar creates sweet, sparkly coating. This technique adds extra sweetness and beautiful appearance.

This method creates new family traditions with authentic Italian techniques. Perfect for holiday cookie platters and gift-giving.

25. Flourless Pine Nut Cookies

These soft, chewy cookies use almond paste and pine nuts without any flour. Egg whites and sugar create perfect gluten-free texture.

Pine nuts cover the outside completely for nutty crunch contrast. This technique creates beautiful appearance and amazing flavor combination.

This version works perfectly for gluten-free diets without compromising taste. Great for people with dietary restrictions who love Italian cookies.

Final Thoughts

These Italian cookie recipes bring authentic flavors and time-honored techniques to your home kitchen. From simple six-ingredient cookies to elaborate filled varieties, each offers unique tastes and textures.

Start with easier recipes like ricotta cookies or pizzelles, then work up to more complex treats like fig-filled cookies for impressive results.