Best 5 Italian Christmas Cookies Recipes

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Indulge in the sweet tradition of Italian Christmas cookies, known as biscotti di Natale. These delightful treats, originating from various regions of Italy, hold a special place in the hearts of Italians and are often passed down through generations. From the classic almond-scented amaretti to the delicate pignoli cookies, each variety offers a unique taste and texture. Discover the secrets behind these beloved cookies and impress your loved ones with homemade Italian Christmas cheer. In this article, you'll find a collection of authentic recipes, each carefully selected to represent the diverse flavors of Italy. Amaretti, with their soft and chewy interior and delicate almond flavor, are a true classic. Pignoli cookies, characterized by their golden-brown crust and nutty pine nut filling, add a touch of elegance to any holiday gathering. For those who prefer a crispy treat, the anise-flavored biscotti are a perfect choice. And don't forget the struffoli, a Neapolitan specialty made from fried dough balls coated in honey and sprinkles. With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and stunning photos, these recipes will guide you through the process of creating these Italian Christmas cookies. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey through the enchanting flavors of Italy.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SPUMONI SLICES - ITALIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES



Spumoni Slices - Italian Christmas Cookies image

These three colored cookies are pretty simple to make and add a nice touch of color to your gift platters

Provided by Steve_G

Categories     Dessert

Time 57m

Yield 84 cookies, 42 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 (1 ounce) semi-sweet chocolate baking square, melted and cooled
4 teaspoons milk
1/3 cup chopped candied red cherries
1/2 cup chopped pistachio nut
1/4 teaspoon rum flavoring
3 drops green food coloring
powdered sugar icing (optional) or melted chocolate (optional)

Steps:

  • Beat shortening and margarine or butter about 30 seconds or till softened.
  • Add half the flour, the sugar, egg, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoons salt.
  • Beat till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
  • Stir in remaining flour.
  • Divide dough into thirds.
  • Into one portion, mix chocolate and 2 teaspoons of the milk.
  • Into second portion, mix cherries.
  • Into third portion mix nuts, remaining milk, flavoring, and enough green food coloring to tint dough.
  • To shape dough, line bottom and sides of an 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pan with clear plastic wrap.
  • Press pink dough evenly in pan.
  • Top with chocolate dough.
  • Top with green dough.
  • Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Invert pan; remove dough.
  • Remove plastic wrap.
  • Cut dough into 1/4 inch thick slices; cut each slice crosswise into three pieces.
  • Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake in 375 oven 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are lightly browned.
  • Remove and cool on rack.
  • Drizzle with powdered sugar icing tinted green or with melted chocolate.

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES



Italian Christmas Cookies image

Make and share this Italian Christmas Cookies recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Kimschmee

Categories     Drop Cookies

Time 20m

Yield 2 dozen cookies, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 teaspoons water

Steps:

  • Firstly, sift the flour and baking powder together into a bowl.
  • Then, in a larger bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and add vanilla, then pour the dry ingredients into the wet and mix.
  • Knead and add flour as needed to keep dough from sticking to hands. Pinch off dough, roll in your hands to form a log and then twirl into shape. Place on greased cookie sheets.
  • Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.
  • Combine the next 3 ingredients until creamy.
  • Dip cookies into icing and sprinkle with trim. Place on wire rack with wax paper on counter to collect the dripping icing and sprinkles.

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS SPICE COOKIES



Italian Christmas Spice Cookies image

While growing up in Boston, every Christmas my Neopolitan auntie would make a delicious chocolate round cookie spiced with cloves. She called them "Todors" (phonetic spelling). It's been 50 years since I've had them as no bakery seems to make them. Finally, after much research, I was able to locate a recipe that sounded just like the real thing. I tweaked the recipe a bit till I got the taste that I remembered. Warning: You can't each just one.

Provided by Dedee Royale

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 50-55 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup dark unsweetened cocoa
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup canola oil or 3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup almonds, chopped plus sliced for garnish
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
3 -4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar (to garnish)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
  • In a large separate bowl mix together eggs, sugar, oil, milk and vanilla.
  • Add flour mixture to wet mixture in small batches and mix until combined.
  • Add chocolate chips and chopped almonds. Dough will be very stiff.
  • With lightly oiled hands, continue to mix the dough till all ingredients are incorporated. Wash hands thoroughly.
  • Lightly oil your hands again so the dough won't stick to them and break off pieces of dough, rolling them with your palms into balls the size of walnuts.
  • Arrange on prepared baking sheet 2" apart and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Once cooled, dip the top of each cookie into the chocolate glaze. While still wet garnish tops with a few sliced almonds.
  • When set, re-dip the bottom of each cookie back into the chocolate glaze and let set again.
  • While still slightly wet, generously dust or roll each cookie into 1 cup powdered sugar.
  • Set aside to dry before stacking.
  • Cookies will keep in an airtight container for 2 weeks.

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES (FILLED)



Italian Christmas Cookies (Filled) image

These are cookies my grandmother used to make for Christmas every year. We always filled them with pre-made mincemeat or the filling in the recipe, but she has down two others in the recipe as well - ground raisins with cinnamon, cloves and sugar/orange juice/sweet wine, and almond paste with brown sugar and rum flavoring (meant to be sweet). Be creative with the frosting colors and sprinkles - that was the only part I was allowed to help with and we always tried to make them as "pretty" as possible.

Provided by AdeleProvence

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 2 dozen, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 1/2 cups pastry flour
1/2 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon salt (says a pinch)
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped (pecans work too)
1/2 cup raisins, ground (in a food processor)
1 tablespoon water (optional)
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Steps:

  • Sift together flours and salt.
  • Cut shortening into flour mixture.
  • Melt 1/2 + 1/3 cup sugar in 1/2 cup water and pour into flour mixture and mix.
  • Roll out and cut into circles the size of a large can like fruit comes in, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
  • Make the filling by mixing together nuts, 2 tbsp sugar, and raisins.
  • Place a tablespoonful of filling on one side of each circle.
  • Wet the edges of the circle, fold over (should look like a half moon), and seal with a fork.
  • Prick the top of all assembled cookies with a fork to vent.
  • Bake at 400F for 7-10 minutes, until just turning golden.
  • Let cool.
  • Dust lightly with powdered sugar or make frosting by mixing 1 tbsp water, powdered sugar, and vanilla. If desired, frosting may be tinted with food coloring and sprinkles may be put on cookies immediately after frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 200.6, Fat 8.9, SaturatedFat 2, Sodium 13.2, Carbohydrate 28.3, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 9.9, Protein 2.4

ITALIAN WHITE CHRISTMAS COOKIES



Italian White Christmas Cookies image

Make and share this Italian White Christmas Cookies recipe from Food.com.

Provided by shelshel0110

Categories     Dessert

Time 45m

Yield 50-100 Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups Crisco
1 tablespoon butter
6 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups warm milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon anise extract
11 cups flour
11 teaspoons baking powder
powdered sugar
water

Steps:

  • Melt crisco an butter, then cool.
  • Beat eggs and sugar.
  • Add milk, vanilla, and anise extract.
  • Add crisco/butter mix.
  • Slowly add flower and baking powder. Work gently.
  • Bake on cookie sheet 3-5 min on bottom rack, then 3-5 min on top rack. Bottoms should come out lightly brown.
  • Let cookies cool, then ice with a mixture of powdered sugar and water. Add red and green food coloring to icing for a more festive look.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221.7, Fat 9.6, SaturatedFat 3.1, Cholesterol 24.3, Sodium 95.9, Carbohydrate 29.8, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 8.1, Protein 3.9

Tips:

  • Prep Ahead: For best results, make the dough the day before and let it chill overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the dough to become easier to handle.
  • Use High-Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the final product. Use real butter, fresh eggs, and high-quality flour.
  • Don't Overmix the Dough: Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Chill the Dough Before Rolling: Chilling the dough before rolling makes it easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Bake the Cookies Until Just Set: Overbaking the cookies will make them dry and crumbly. Bake them just until they are set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
  • Let the Cookies Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them. This will help them to set and keep their shape.

Conclusion:

Italian Christmas cookies are a delicious and festive treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different recipes to choose from, there's sure to be a cookie that everyone will love. Whether you prefer traditional cookies like pizzelles or more modern creations like chocolate biscotti, you're sure to find the perfect recipe in this collection. So get baking and enjoy the sweet taste of Christmas!

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