The holiday season is a magical time, filled with warmth, joy, and, of course, delicious treats! Italian Christmas cookies are soft, poofy sugar cookies topped with a sweet almond glaze and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these cookies will surely become a favorite in your holiday baking repertoire.
What Makes These Cookies Special?
I actually came up with this recipe on my own! So, yeah. Giving myself a little pat on the back for not only baking with the kids [the mess can send me into an anxiety-spiral…] but also for taking the time to trial and error a new recipe for the blog. It’s been a while since I’ve shared something homemade AND festive!
Creating Meaningful Holiday Traditions while Co-Parenting
I can’t lie: I was dreading Thanksgiving because I knew this Christmas the kids would be headed to Virginia with their Dad. Christmas follows Thanksgiving… and I was just blocking out the fact that they’d be without their Mom on the 24th and 25th. However, knowing this 39-year-old brain of mine all too well, I can either sit in that thought and miss out on all the GOOD that’s happening between now and Christmas day, OR I can have a moment of two of sadness, allow it to pass, and start making holiday memories with the kids. Hence, the inspiration for these Italian Christmas cookies.
Co-parenting during the holiday season can be both a challenge and an opportunity to create special moments with your children. Establishing small, simple traditions can help foster a sense of togetherness and joy, even if you’re navigating multiple households. One of the simplest yet most rewarding traditions is baking together. As we baked and decorated the Italian Christmas cookies, I shared stories about family recipes and holiday memories growing up. The kids asked questions, we connected, and a delicious sense of teamwork was the end result. Oh, and let’s not forget the sprinkle mess….
Recipe for Italian Christmas Cookies
- Cookie:
- 2 eggs
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 tablespoons cream or milk, warmed
- sprinkles
- Whisk eggs, oil, sugar, and extract in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Roll dough by tablespoonful into balls. Chill for at least one hour or until dough has become firm. I kept covered and refrigerated overnight.
- Bake at 350 for about 9 minutes. Bottoms will be lightly browned, and tops will be white. Remove cookies to cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
- For the glaze, whisk together ingredients in mixing bowl. Dip tops of the cookies in glaze. Then top with sprinkles.
Tips for Perfect Italian Christmas Cookies
Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to mix in lemon zest or vanilla bean for a unique twist on the classic flavor.
Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
By incorporating these small, meaningful traditions, you can create a sense of stability and joy for your children during the holiday season. Co-parenting may come with its challenges, but with a little creativity and intention, you can foster lasting memories and strengthen family bonds. Embrace the magic [and mess!] of the holidays and enjoy creating these special moments together!
