Italian Christmas Cookies are a delightful and festive treat, perfect for the holiday season. With their colorful nonpareils and buttery, soft texture, these cookies are sure to brighten up any holiday gathering or dessert table. They’re simple to make and have a classic, sweet flavor that everyone will love.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup rainbow nonpareils

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in rainbow nonpareils to coat evenly.
Place on Baking Sheets: Arrange the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.
Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

Servings: This recipe makes approximately 24 cookies.
Total Time: 15 minutes for preparation, 8-10 minutes for baking, and cooling time.

Variations

Flavor Twist: Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the dough for a different flavor profile.
Toppings: You can substitute the rainbow nonpareils with colored sugar, sprinkles, or even drizzle the cooled cookies with chocolate for extra sweetness.
Shaping: Instead of rolling the dough into balls, you can shape them into small logs for a different presentation.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Freezing: You can freeze the dough before baking for up to 3 months. Just shape the dough into balls, freeze them, and then bake directly from frozen—add a couple of minutes to the baking time.

10 FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? It’s best to use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the recipe. If you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt.
Can I use a different type of sprinkles? Yes! You can use any type of sprinkles you like, but nonpareils are traditional for these cookies.
How can I prevent the cookies from spreading too much? Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can help the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough and freeze it, or you can bake the cookies a few days in advance and store them in an airtight container.
Can I use gluten-free flour? Yes, you can substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but the texture may be slightly different.
What’s the best way to store these cookies? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft, or freeze them for longer storage.
Can I make these cookies without eggs? Yes, you can use an egg substitute, such as a flax egg or another egg replacer, to make these cookies egg-free.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking? The edges of the cookies will turn golden brown. You can also lightly touch the tops of the cookies, and they should feel firm but soft.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer? Absolutely! A hand mixer will work just fine for this recipe.
How can I add more flavor to these cookies? You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a seasonal twist or mix in some finely chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra texture.

Conclusion

Italian Christmas Cookies are a delightful, festive treat that captures the spirit of the season with their sweet buttery flavor and colorful, festive appearance. They are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for holiday parties or gift-giving. Whether you enjoy them on their own or as part of a larger spread of Christmas goodies, these cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite!