Delicious Italian Christmas Cookies That Bring Family Traditions to Life
Italian Christmas cookies are a beloved holiday treat, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Light, tender, and flavorful, these cookies combine simple ingredients to create a festive and versatile dessert. They can be sweet or slightly savory with optional turkey bacon or chicken ham, making them adaptable for different tastes.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 30 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup finely chopped turkey bacon (optional)
- ½ cup chopped chicken ham (optional)
- ¼ cup milk (or plant-based alternative)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet mixture; add milk if needed.
- Fold in turkey bacon or chicken ham if desired.
- Shape dough into balls, crescents, or rings, ensuring uniform size.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden, rotating sheets halfway.
- Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar or decorate as desired.
Notes
Optional savory ingredients can be omitted for a classic sweet version.
Decorate cookies with sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or frosting for variety.
For softer cookies, avoid overbaking.