These Italian cookies are so tender and delicate with a easy vanilla glaze. They’re extremely easy to make (no chilling!) and might be fashioned into enjoyable shapes too!
Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies
A sister to the anise cookies I shared yesterday, this genuine Italian cookie recipe is a cherished household recipe that was generously given to me by my grandmother’s cousin, Janet (and it feels bizarre to name her “my grandmother’s cousin”, she’s simply been an in depth member of the family my complete life).
One of many essential variations between yesterday’s recipe (moreover the licorice taste) and this one is the glaze; as Janet stated (and was very clear about when sharing this recipe!), “you want a clear glaze for actual Italian cookies”. Consequently, in the present day’s glaze will not be practically as thick because the icing I shared yesterday.
Italian cookies are extra dry than a whole lot of my cookie recipes, however this it completely regular and to be anticipated. Traditional Italian cookies have one thing of a biscuity texture, and so they’re additionally not too candy. The steadiness is sort of good and a lighter various to the wealthy scorching chocolate cookies I shared earlier this week!
What You Want
This ingredient checklist is about so simple as you may get! We’ll be utilizing primary pantry staples like butter, eggs, milk, flour, and so forth. Nothing fancy, and nothing sophisticated!
- Flour. How a lot flour you want is dependent upon what you intend to do along with your cookie dough. For those who plan to only scoop and roll it into balls, 3 cups (375g) will likely be simply high quality. If you wish to type your dough into enjoyable shapes, you’ll be able to add extra flour (as much as 1 extra cup). I speak extra about this within the FAQ part under.
- Eggs. Set your eggs out forward of time to allow them to come to room temperature, as they are going to incorporate a lot simpler this fashion. For those who overlook to set yours out, comply with my trick for shortly bringing eggs to room temperature.
- Butter. Janet says she generally makes use of margarine as a substitute of butter, so if you wish to try this, be at liberty. It is a uncommon recipe the place I do use salted butter (to stay with old style custom) however you’ll be able to substitute unsalted, you have to so as to add greater than a pinch of salt to your dough; learn my publish on salted vs. unsalted butter for the conversion.
- Milk. We’ll use just some splashes of milk within the cookies and the glaze. Because it’s such a small quantity, any type will work right here (even non-dairy milks).
SAM’S TIP: That is such a enjoyable recipe to make with youngsters! They might help roll the dough into balls, brush on the glaze, or add the sprinkles.
Keep in mind, that is simply an outline of the components I used and why. For the complete recipe please scroll right down to the underside of the publish!
Learn how to Make Italian Cookies
- Cream the butter and sugar along with an electrical mixer till mild and fluffy.
- Stir within the eggs till nicely mixed, then add the milk, vanilla, and salt.
- Whisk 3 cups of flour and the baking powder collectively in a separate bowl till mixed, then step by step add this to the moist components.
- Add extra flour as wanted: if you’re forming your cookies into balls, your dough is prepared. For those who plan to form it, add extra flour (as much as 1 cup) till the dough is manageable.
SAM’S TIP: Word that I truly halved Janet’s recipe as a result of it was so giant, so simply know this recipe does double nicely in order for you an entire bunch of cookies (excellent for a cookie alternate!).
- Kind the dough into your required shapes and place on parchment lined baking sheets. Give the cookies a little bit respiration room to allow them to bake evenly.
- Bake for 8 minutes, then let cool on the baking sheet for five minutes earlier than transferring to a cooling rack.
- Whisk the powdered sugar and milk collectively, then brush over the cooled cookies.
- Add sprinkles, if desired. Let the glaze set earlier than having fun with.
SAM’S TIP: Italian cookies will keep pale, even when they’re executed baking. For those who wait til yours are golden brown on the sides, they are going to be over-baked and won’t have the correct texture or taste!
Incessantly Requested Questions
I embody a variety so you’ve got choices for shaping your cookie dough. For those who’d prefer to make your Italian cookies in a basic ball form like I’ve above, then you need to use the usual 3 cups or 375g.
Or, if you wish to use this recipe to make your cookies into shapes like pretzels, knots, and so forth., you have to so as to add extra flour so the dough holds its form. You’ll be able to add as much as 1 extra cup of flour till you dough reaches the suitable consistency for molding/shaping.
Sure! Lemon, almond, peppermint, or anise would work nicely right here as a substitute. I’d love to listen to what flavors you attempt in these Italian cookies–let me know within the feedback under!
They completely do! Place them in an hermetic container within the freezer and they’re going to preserve for a couple of months this fashion. Excellent for the vacations!
I’ve bought just some extra Christmas cookie recipes till we wrap issues up for the New Yr! What different recipes would you prefer to see?
Get pleasure from!
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Italian Cookies
These Italian cookies are so tender and delicate with a easy vanilla glaze. They’re extremely easy to make (no chilling!) and might be fashioned into enjoyable shapes too!
Servings: 55 cookies
Energy: 62kcal
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Directions
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Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Put aside.
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In a big mixing bowl, mix butter and sugar and use an electrical mixer to beat till mild and fluffy.
10 Tablespoons (142 g) salted butter, ¾ cups (150 g) granulated sugar
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Add eggs and stir till well-combined.
3 giant eggs
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Add milk, vanilla extract, and salt, and stir till fully mixed.
2 Tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, Pinch of salt
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In a small mixing bowl, whisk collectively 3 cups of flour and baking powder. Steadily add flour to moist combination. At this level, the dough ought to be agency sufficient that it is possible for you to to type it into balls. If you want to make different shapes (loops, knots, pretzels, and so forth.) proceed so as to add as much as a further 1 cup (125g) of flour till dough is manageable.
3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour, 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
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Break off a ball of dough about 1 Tablespoon in dimension and roll right into a ball (or type into shapes). Place cookie dough on ready baking sheet, spacing at the least 2” aside.
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Switch to middle rack of 350F (175C) oven and bake for 8 minutes.
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Permit to chill on baking sheet for at the least 5 minutes earlier than fastidiously transferring to cooling rack to chill fully earlier than glazing.
Put together the glaze
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In a small bowl, whisk collectively powdered sugar and milk. Glaze ought to be very skinny. Use a pastry brush to brush over fully cooled cookies. Instantly sprinkle with nonpareils or sprinkles, if desired.
½ cup (65 g) powdered sugar, 1 ½ – 2 Tablespoons milk, Nonpareils or sprinkles
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Permit glaze to set earlier than having fun with.
Notes
Flour
3 cups of flour ought to offer you a dough that’s sturdy sufficient to be rolled and dropped. Nonetheless, in case you’d prefer to make enjoyable shapes with the dough (pretzels, twists, and so forth.) it’s possible you’ll discover the dough will not be thick sufficient. Be happy so as to add as much as one other cup (125g) of flour till the dough reaches a consistency that’s shapeable. Word that the extra flour you add, the extra dry and fewer candy the cookies will likely be.
Storing
Retailer in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as every week. Cookies additionally freeze nicely – tightly wrap and freeze for as much as a number of months.
Diet
Serving: 1cookie | Energy: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fats: 2g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 1g | Trans Fats: 0.1g | Ldl cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Dietary info is predicated on third-party calculations and ought to be thought of an estimate solely. Precise dietary content material will differ based mostly upon manufacturers used, measuring strategies, cooking methodology, portion sizes, and extra.
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