Italian Christmas Cookies

Instructions:

Mixing the Dough:

  1. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Whisk them together and set aside.
  2. In a separate mixing bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla and anise extracts.
  4. Gradually fold in the flour mixture to the creamy batter. Be careful not to overmix.
  5. Chill the dough for one hour in the refrigerator.

Baking the Cookies:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Form the dough into 1-inch balls. For a neat appearance, dip the bottom of a small glass in powdered sugar and gently press each ball to flatten slightly.
  3. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes until they are just set. Let them cool completely after removing them from the oven.

Preparing the Glaze:

  1. For the glaze, sift two cups of powdered sugar into a bowl.
  2. Whisk in milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze, then sprinkle with nonpareil sprinkles.
  4. Allow the glaze to set completely before storing the cookies.

Storage Tips: These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. If freezing, consider adding the glaze and sprinkles after thawing to prevent color run.

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