Description
Sweet memories of childhood come alive with Nonna’s Italian Christmas Cookies, a delightful treat that whispers stories of family gatherings. Delicate almond-kissed morsels dusted with powdered sugar will transport you to warm Italian kitchens filled with love and tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar together until achieving a pale, airy consistency with soft peaks.
- Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly blending after each addition to ensure smooth integration.
- Infuse the mixture with vanilla and almond extracts, creating a rich aromatic base.
- Separately, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing minimally to prevent tough cookie texture.
- Form uniform one-inch spherical dough balls, positioning them two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Delicately flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass, creating uniform circular shapes.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and edges appear crisp.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, facilitating initial cooling and structural stability.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and maintaining crisp texture.
- Prepare a glossy glaze by whisking powdered sugar and milk until achieving a smooth, consistent liquid.
- Immerse cooled cookie tops into the glaze, instantly decorating with festive sprinkles.
- Let glazed cookies sit until the coating solidifies, creating a delicate, shimmering finish.
Notes
- Opt for room temperature butter and eggs to ensure smooth, even mixing and better cookie texture.
- Avoid overmixing the dough, which can lead to tough, dense cookies; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are combined.
- Try alternative extracts like lemon or orange to create unique flavor variations that suit different taste preferences.
- For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend, keeping the same measurement proportions.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 108
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 68 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg