8 Classic Italian Christmas Cookies To Bake This Season

Italian Christmas cookies are a staple of the holiday season, and for good reason. These sweet treats are steeped in tradition and are a delicious way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. From classic biscotti to intricately decorated struffoli, Italian Christmas cookies are a must-bake for anyone looking to add a little la dolce vita to their holiday celebrations.

In Italy, Christmas cookies are a beloved tradition that dates back centuries. Each region has its own unique cookie-making traditions, with recipes passed down from generation to generation. Whether you're Italian or just love Italian culture, baking Italian Christmas cookies is a great way to connect with the country's rich culinary heritage.

So, which Italian Christmas cookies should you bake this season? Here are eight classic recipes to get you started.

1. Biscotti di Natale (Christmas Biscotti)

Biscotti are a classic Italian cookie that originated in the Tuscan region. These twice-baked cookies are perfect for dunking in coffee, wine, or hot chocolate. To make biscotti di Natale, you'll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup dried cranberries

How to Make Biscotti di Natale

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat together sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
5. Stir in chopped almonds and dried cranberries.
6. Divide dough in half and shape into logs. Place logs on prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
8. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
9. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).
10. Slice logs into 1/2-inch thick slices and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until crispy.

2. Struffoli (Honey Balls)

Struffoli are a classic Neapolitan Christmas cookie that are deep-fried and coated in honey and sprinkles. To make struffoli, you'll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup lard or vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Sprinkles or nonpareils for decorating

How to Make Struffoli

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat together lard or shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 375°F (190°C).
7. Fry dough balls in batches until golden, about 2-3 minutes per side.
8. Drain on paper towels and let cool.
9. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with sprinkles or nonpareils.

3. Ricciarelli (Sienese Almond Cookies)

Ricciarelli are a classic Sienese cookie that originated in the 14th century. These almond-based cookies are perfect for dunking in coffee or wine. To make ricciarelli, you'll need:

• 1 1/2 cups ground almonds
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

How to Make Ricciarelli

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together ground almonds, confectioners' sugar, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat together egg whites and almond extract until stiff peaks form.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix until a dough forms.
5. Shape dough into small balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
7. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Bruttiboni (Hazelnut Cookies)

Bruttiboni are a classic Piedmontese cookie that originated in the town of Novara. These hazelnut-based cookies are perfect for dunking in coffee or wine. To make bruttiboni, you'll need:

• 1 1/2 cups hazelnuts
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon hazelnut extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

How to Make Bruttiboni

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together hazelnuts, confectioners' sugar, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat together egg whites and hazelnut extract until stiff peaks form.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix until a dough forms.
5. Shape dough into small balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
7. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Amaretti (Almond Macarons)

Amaretti are a classic Italian macaron that originated in the town of Saronno. These almond-based cookies are perfect for dunking in coffee or wine. To make amaretti, you'll need:

• 1 1/2 cups ground almonds
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

How to Make Amaretti

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together ground almonds, confectioners' sugar, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat together egg whites and almond extract until stiff peaks form.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix until a dough forms.
5. Shape dough into small balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
7. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Sfogliatelle (Shell-Shaped Cookies)

Sfogliatelle are a classic Italian cookie that originated in the Campania region. These shell-shaped cookies are perfect for filling with sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream. To make sfogliatelle, you'll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup lard or vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream

How to Make Sfogliatelle

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat together lard or shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
6. Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
7. Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut out shell shapes.
8. Place shells on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
10. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Zeppole ( Fried Dough Balls)

Zeppole are a classic Italian fried dough ball that originated in the Campania region. These sweet treats are perfect for dusting with powdered sugar and filling with sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream. To make zeppole, you'll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup lard or vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream for filling

How to Make Zeppole

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat together lard or shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 375°F (190°C).
7. Fry dough balls in batches until golden, about 2-3 minutes per side.
8. Drain on paper towels and let cool.
9. Dust with powdered sugar and fill with sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream.

8. Rosette ( Fried Cookies)

Rosette are a classic Italian fried cookie that originated in the town of Alessandria. These sweet treats are perfect for dusting with powdered sugar and filling with sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream. To make rosette, you'll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup lard or vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream for filling

How to Make Rosette

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat together lard or shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 375°F (190°C).
7. Fry dough balls in batches until golden, about 2-3 minutes per side.
8. Drain on paper towels and let cool.
9. Dust with powdered sugar and fill with sweetened ricotta or cannoli cream.

We hope this article has inspired you to try your hand at baking some delicious Italian Christmas cookies. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, these classic recipes are sure to bring a little la dolce vita to your holiday celebrations.