Description
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with these Italian Holiday Bites, perfect for sweetening any celebration. These cookies blend the aromatic flavors of almond and vanilla with a hint of lemon zest, creating a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holidays. This recipe not only offers a delicious dessert option but also a fun, engaging way to involve friends and family in holiday preparations.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup softened butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest (optional)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk (or water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for icing
- Food coloring (red, green, or any festive colors)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Step-by-step Directions
1. Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, setting the stage for a tender cookie.
3. Add Eggs and Flavors
Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and optional lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your leavening and flavoring agents are evenly distributed.
5. Form Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a coherent dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as it can make the cookies tough.
6. Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden.
7. Cool Down
Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheets before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This prevents the cookies from breaking.
8. Prepare Icing
Mix powdered sugar with milk or water to reach a smooth icing consistency. Divide the icing into different bowls and add food coloring to each batch to achieve festive shades.
9. Decorate
Dip the tops of the cooled cookies in the icing, then decorate with sprinkles as desired. Let the icing set before serving.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe makes approximately 36 cookies. Preparation time is around 20 minutes, with a baking time of 10-12 minutes per batch.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: If frozen, allow cookies to thaw at room temperature before serving. They do not generally require reheating but can be briefly warmed in a low oven if preferred.
Conclusion
These Italian Holiday Bites offer a burst of festive flavors and are sure to be a highlight at any holiday gathering. Not only are they delightful to eat, but making them can also be a joyous and memorable holiday activity. Try this recipe to add some extra sparkle to your festive celebrations!
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Festive Italian Holiday Bites
- Total Time: 25 minute
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
Description
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with these Italian Holiday Bites, perfect for sweetening any celebration. These cookies blend the aromatic flavors of almond and vanilla with a hint of lemon zest, creating a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holidays. This recipe not only offers a delicious dessert option but also a fun, engaging way to involve friends and family in holiday preparations.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup softened butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest (optional)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk (or water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for icing
- Food coloring (red, green, or any festive colors)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and optional lemon zest until smooth.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients to form a dough.
- Roll dough into small balls, place on baking sheets, and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before transferring to wire racks.
- Mix powdered sugar with milk or water for icing, divide into bowls, add food coloring, and decorate cookies.
- Dip cooled cookies in icing, decorate with sprinkles, and let icing set before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch