Nonna’s Favorite Italian Christmas Cookies: Soft, Glazed & So Easy!
There are certain cookies that just taste like the holidays. They’re not just a treat; they’re a tradition, a memory, a little bite of pure nostalgia. For me, that cookie will always be these beautiful Italian Christmas Cookies. This is the kind of timeless recipe that feels like it has been passed down through generations, a true taste of a Nonna’s kitchen. Forget crispy, crunchy cookies; these are a whole different kind of wonderful. They have an incredibly soft, tender, almost cake-like texture that simply melts in your mouth. The cookie itself is delicately flavored with sweet almond, and then each one is dipped in a simple, sweet almond glaze and showered with festive Christmas sprinkles. They are simple, elegant, and completely addictive. This is my go-to recipe for holiday cookie exchanges because they’re not only stunning to look at but also incredibly easy to make—no fancy equipment or techniques required. They are the perfect, sweet embodiment of holiday cheer.
Why These Italian Cookies Are a Holiday Tradition in the Making!
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: These cookies are uniquely soft, tender, and cake-like, a wonderful change of pace from typical crispy holiday cookies.
- Beautiful Almond Flavor: A delicate hint of almond extract in both the cookie and the glaze gives them a classic, sophisticated Italian flavor that is simply irresistible.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: The dough comes together in one bowl with a simple whisk—no mixer required! It’s a perfect recipe for bakers of all skill levels.
- Perfect for Decorating: The smooth, white glaze is the perfect canvas for your favorite festive sprinkles, making them a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie platter.
- Fantastic for Making Ahead: The dough needs to be chilled, making it perfect for prepping ahead of time. The baked cookies also store and freeze beautifully, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 10 minutes (+ 1 hr chilling) |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Servings | 30 cookies |
| Calories | 106 kcal per serving |
| Course | Dessert |
| Cuisine | Italian-American |
| Method | Baking |
Your Holiday Baking Shopping List
This beloved recipe uses simple pantry staples to create something truly magical. Here’s what you’ll need.
→ For the Soft Cookies
- Eggs: 2 large ones, the foundation of our tender cookie.
- Vegetable Oil: 6 tablespoons. Using oil instead of butter is the secret to their unique, soft texture.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup for the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Almond Extract: 1 teaspoon. This is the key to that classic Italian cookie flavor! You can also use vanilla or anise.
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups.
- Baking Powder & Salt: For the perfect rise and balanced flavor.
→ For the Sweet Almond Glaze
- Powdered Sugar: 2 cups, for a smooth, sweet glaze.
- Almond Extract: 1 teaspoon, to echo the flavor in the cookie.
- Cream or Milk: 3-4 tablespoons, warmed. This helps the glaze come together smoothly.
- Christmas Sprinkles: For that final, festive touch!
Let’s Bake Some Holiday Magic! A Step-by-Step Guide
This is a wonderfully simple and rewarding recipe. The most important step is patience during the chilling phase!
Phase 1: Make and Chill the Dough (Time: ~5 minutes + 1 hour chilling)
This dough comes together in one bowl in just a few minutes, then takes a quick nap in the fridge.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and almond extract until well combined.
- Add the Dry Ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Roll and Chill. Roll the dough by the tablespoonful into smooth balls. Place the dough balls on a plate or small baking sheet. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or pop them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until they are firm.
Critical Tip: Do not skip this step! Chilling the dough is the absolute key to preventing the cookies from spreading in the oven, ensuring they keep their beautiful, domed shape.
Phase 2: Bake to Soft Perfection (Time: ~10 minutes + cooling)
These cookies bake up quickly! The secret is to not let them get brown on top.
- Preheat and Prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Bake the Cookies. Place the cold dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving a little space between them. Bake for about 9-10 minutes.
Visual Cue: You’ll know they’re done when the tops are set and look matte, not shiny. The bottoms will be a very light golden brown, but the tops should remain white. This is the secret to a soft cookie! - Cool Completely. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They must be 100% cool before you glaze them.
Phase 3: Glaze and Decorate (Time: ~10 minutes)
Now for the final, festive touch that makes these cookies so beautiful.
- Make the Glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Add the warm cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until the glaze is smooth and has a thin but creamy consistency, perfect for dipping.
- Dip and Sprinkle. Hold a cooled cookie by the bottom and dip the top surface into the glaze. Let any excess drip off, then immediately place it back on the cooling rack and shower it with your favorite Christmas sprinkles.
- Let Them Set. Let the cookies sit at room temperature until the glaze is completely hardened before you store them.
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Italian Cookies!
- Chilling is Non-Negotiable: I cannot say it enough. Chilling the dough balls until they are firm is the most important step in this recipe. It’s what prevents them from spreading flat and gives them their signature soft, domed shape.
- Don’t Overbake for Softness: The key to the soft, cake-like texture is to pull the cookies from the oven when the tops are set but still perfectly white. If the tops start to turn golden, they have been in too long and will be crispy instead of soft.
- Use Warm Milk for the Glaze: Adding warm milk or cream to the powdered sugar helps it dissolve smoothly and creates a lump-free, perfectly creamy glaze.
- Work Quickly with the Glaze: The glaze will start to set as it cools, so be ready with your sprinkles! Dip a cookie, then immediately add your sprinkles before the glaze hardens.
- Room Temperature is Best: Let the finished, glazed cookies sit out at room temperature to allow the glaze to fully harden into a nice shell.
Nonna’s Favorite Italian Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, sugar, and extract.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough by tablespoonfuls into balls. Place the dough balls on a plate and chill for at least 1 hour, or freeze for 15-20 minutes, until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the cold dough balls on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for about 9-10 minutes, until the tops are set but still white. The bottoms will be lightly browned. Do not overbake.
- Remove cookies to cooling racks and let them cool completely.
- For the glaze, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth, adding enough warm cream to get a thin but creamy consistency.
- Dip the tops of the cooled cookies in the glaze, then immediately top them with Christmas sprinkles. Let the glaze set completely before storing.
Notes
Creative Twists: Delicious Ways to Customize Your Cookies!
- Try Different Extracts: While almond is traditional, these cookies are also divine with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or even 1/2 teaspoon of anise extract for a classic Italian licorice flavor.
- Add Citrus Zest: Add the zest of one lemon or one orange to the cookie dough for a wonderful, bright, citrusy note. You can also add a little zest to the glaze!
- Color Your Glaze: Add a drop of red or green food coloring to your glaze to create festive, colorful cookies.
- Add a Nutty Crunch: Instead of sprinkles, top the wet glaze with finely chopped pistachios or almonds.
- Sandwich Cookies: Bake the cookies slightly flatter and sandwich two of them together with a layer of your favorite jam or a simple buttercream.
Keep Them Fresh! Storing Your Holiday Cookies
These cookies store beautifully, making them the perfect treat to bake ahead of the holiday rush.
Storing & Freezing Dough
You can store the unbaked dough, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 4 days in the fridge. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw slightly before baking.
Storing Baked Cookies
Once the glaze has completely hardened, store the finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing sheets of parchment paper between the layers will help protect the decorations. They will stay soft and fresh for 5-7 days.
FAQs: Your Italian Christmas Cookie Questions, Answered!
Why do these cookies use oil instead of butter?
The vegetable oil is the secret to the unique, cake-like, super-soft texture of these traditional cookies. It keeps them incredibly moist for days.
My glaze is too thin/thick. How do I fix it?
This is an easy fix! If your glaze is too thin and runny, simply whisk in more powdered sugar until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too thick to dip, whisk in a little more warm milk, a few drops at a time.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different, but they will still be delicious.
Can I use a stand mixer to make the dough?
You can, but it’s honestly not necessary! This dough is so simple and comes together beautifully with just a whisk and a spatula in one bowl, which saves on cleanup.
These Italian Christmas Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a bite of holiday tradition. They are simple, beautiful, and a joy to both make and share. I hope they fill your kitchen with festive aromas and become a beloved part of your family’s holiday celebrations for years to come. Happy holidays and happy baking!
