Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step into a world of festive delight with Italian Christmas Cookies, a staple in holiday baking. These cake-like cookies, subtly flavored with anise and topped with a sweet glaze, are perfect for any festive gathering or a cozy night in.
Total Preparation Time: 1 hour
Cooking Duration: 10 minutes
Preparation Phase: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar (plus extra for dusting)
- 3/4 cup Butter (softened)
- 3 Eggs
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Anise Extract
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 tablespoons Milk
- Nonpareil Sprinkles for garnish
Instructions:
Mixing the Dough:
- Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Whisk them together and set aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla and anise extracts.
- Gradually fold in the flour mixture to the creamy batter. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the dough for one hour in the refrigerator.
Baking the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Form the dough into 1-inch balls. For a neat appearance, dip the bottom of a small glass in powdered sugar and gently press each ball to flatten slightly.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes until they are just set. Let them cool completely after removing them from the oven.
Preparing the Glaze:
- For the glaze, sift two cups of powdered sugar into a bowl.
- Whisk in milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze, then sprinkle with nonpareil sprinkles.
- Allow the glaze to set completely before storing the cookies.
Storage Tips: These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. If freezing, consider adding the glaze and sprinkles after thawing to prevent color run.
