In the realm of Christmas cookies, the Italian Christmas Spice Cookies shine like twinkling stars. These delightful treats, also known as Italian Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, will transport you to a winter wonderland with their captivating flavors and festive appearance. Immerse yourself in the rich aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, perfectly balanced with a hint of citrus and the warmth of vanilla. Each bite unveils a symphony of textures, from the crisp exterior to the tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. These cookies are not just a dessert; they are a cherished tradition, lovingly passed down through generations, capturing the essence of Italian Christmas celebrations.
This article presents a collection of three enticing recipes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. The Classic Italian Christmas Spice Cookies are a timeless recipe that embodies the spirit of tradition. For those seeking a gluten-free alternative, the Gluten-Free Italian Christmas Spice Cookies offer the same delectable flavors and textures without compromising on indulgence. And for those with a vegan lifestyle, the Vegan Italian Christmas Spice Cookies provide a delightful plant-based option, ensuring everyone can partake in the Christmas cookie festivities.
ITALIAN CHOCOLATE SPICE COOKIES
I recently found this old family recipe in my mom's kitchen. I made a few adjustments to streamline the process, and the cookies turned out wonderfully. -Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 40m
Yield 5 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in walnuts., Shape level tablespoons of dough into balls; place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until bottoms are light brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For glaze, in a large bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, corn syrup and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Dip tops of cookies into glaze; if desired, decorate with sprinkles. Let stand until set. Store between pieces of waxed paper in airtight containers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 99 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 57mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.
MOSTACCIOLI-ITALIAN CHRISTMAS SPICE COOKIES
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tablespoons cocoa powder 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 cup finely ground almonds (I used unblanched slivers) 2 tsp ground cinnamon grated zest 1 large orange 1 tsp ground cloves 2 tsp baking powder 1 stick cold unsalted butter 4 large eggs 1/3 cup sweet wine or vino cotto (You could also use water or dry red wine. I used 1/3 cup Martini Rossi Vermouth.) Icing One 1 pound box confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup orange juice
Provided by Lora
Categories Dessert
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Into the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, pulse the almonds and sugar until the almonds are finely ground. Add the orange zest, flour cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves and pulse several times to mix. Cut the butter into 12 pieces and add to the work bowl. Pulse until the butter is mixed in (about 20-25 times).
- Ad the eggs and wine; pulse until the dough is evenly moistened, tough it probably will form one ball. Allow to stand for 1 minute to absorb the liquid, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. *I could not fit all the ingredients in my food processor. See recipe note above.
- Scrape the dough onto an oiled work surface and roll into a log, 12 inches long. Cut the log into six pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 12-inch cylinder, flatten slightly the palm of your hand, then cut each 12-inch cylinder diagonally into ten or eleven pieces and place the pieces on pans about 1 inch apart. Place the pans in the oven and immediately lower the temperature to 300 degrees. Bake the cookies about 10-14 minutes, or until firm and light golden.
- Icing:
- Whisk the confectioners' sugar with the water and orange juice. Add the water a little at a time. If it is too thick, add a little more water a tablespoon at a time.
- Transfer the cookies to a rack and drizzle on the icing. I did two coats of the icing drizzle. The original recipe says to dunk the cookies in the icing. I wanted to see a little bit of the cookie color. Add some sprinkles.
ITALIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES
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
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.
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before starting, measure and gather all the ingredients to ensure smooth and efficient baking.
- Properly Softened Butter: For ideal texture, let the butter soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes before creaming.
- Creaming Method: To achieve a light and airy texture, cream the butter and sugar together until they are pale and fluffy.
- Fresh Spices: Use freshly ground spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, for the best flavor.
- Chilling the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting to prevent spreading during baking.
- Uniform Thickness: Roll the dough to an even thickness to ensure consistent baking.
- Egg Wash: Before baking, brush the cookies with an egg wash made from a beaten egg and a splash of water to give them a golden brown color.
- Baking Temperature: Bake the cookies at a moderate temperature (350°F or 175°C) to prevent over-browning and maintain a soft texture.
- Cooling the Cookies: Let the cookies cool completely on wire racks before storing or serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Conclusion:
With careful preparation, attention to detail, and a touch of creativity, you can create delectable Italian Christmas spice cookies that capture the essence of the holiday season. These fragrant and flavorful treats are a delightful addition to any gathering and make wonderful gifts for friends and family. Indulge in the warmth and comfort of these homemade cookies, and let the aromas and tastes transport you to the heart of Italian Christmas traditions. Merry baking and happy holidays!
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