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Italian Christmas Cookies

Soft Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Calories: 130

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Festive sprinkles or nonpareils

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla and almond extract.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the 1/4 cup milk. Mix just until a soft dough forms. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough, place on parchment-lined sheets, and bake 8 to 10 minutes until set and barely golden on the bottom. Cool completely.
  4. Whisk the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add extra milk a little at a time until the glaze forms a thick, pourable ribbon.
  5. Dip the tops of the cooled cookies in the glaze, let excess drip off, and scatter generously with sprinkles immediately. Let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Chilling the dough is not optional here; warm dough will spread. If the glaze firms up while you are dipping, stir in a few drops of milk to loosen it again. Bake one tray at a time on the middle rack, and cool the second tray of dough balls in the fridge while the first bakes.