Make your holiday special with these Italian Christmas cookie recipes that are just like Nonna's.
When I took Italian in high school, we learned the language, yes, but our professori taught us the culture, too. During the holidays, they’d wax poetic about tall, fruited panettone, all the work that goes into the annual Feast of the Seven Fishes and of course, the importance of baking Italian Christmas cookie recipes with Nonna and her enduring pizzelle iron. When it’s an activity with Nonna, it’s woven into the very fabric of the cultura.
If you want to make a few Italian Christmas cookies this year—or create an entirely Italian cookie tray—we gathered our best recipes to help you decide what to bake. There is a lot to choose from, including traditional cookies such as seven-layered rainbow cookies, twisty torcetti, deep-fried struffoli and the fan-favorite pignoli. But we also added a few modern, Italian-inspired ones, like cannoli sandwiches and spumoni cookies, for something new.
I love to make Christmas cookies ahead of time by chilling the cookie dough for 24 to 48 hours, allowing the flour to hydrate, which makes the cookies more flavorful and tender. Once baked, store them in airtight containers to lock in their freshness. To keep soft cookies from hardening, stick a piece of sandwich bread inside (that may even be a new trick to teach Nonna!). Fill out the Christmas table with a few other Italian desserts for the ultimate sweet holiday feast.
1/25
Ricotta Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
A single batch of these ricotta cheese cookies is never enough. I usually make one to give away and two more to keep at home. The ricotta cheese makes the morsels extra moist. —Doris Marshall, Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Creamy ricotta cheese makes these Italian Christmas cookies incredibly moist and light, and the vanilla buttercream on top adds just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering. Finish the cookies with festive Christmas sprinkles for extra holiday flair.
2/25
Pizzicati
From the Recipe Creator:
My family has been making these delicate, fruit-filled Italian horn cookies for generations. They’re light and flaky, with the look of an elegant old-world pastry. —Gloria Siddiqui, Houston, Texas
You won’t believe the secret ingredient that makes these Italian horn cookies so rich they melt in your mouth: vanilla ice cream. These are filled with cherry jam, but you can use any jam filling you’d like. If you’ve ever made ice cream kolachkes before, these are very similar!
3/25
Italian Wedding Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies take some time, but, believe me, they are well worth it! My husband and I used to operate an Italian American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations. —Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York
While Italian wedding cookies are a staple at weddings (of course!), their citrusy-sweet goodness is also welcome come Christmas time. Swap rainbow nonpareils for red, green and white ones to fit the holiday theme.
4/25
Italian Rainbow Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My family has made these classic Italian cookies for generations, and this homemade version is so much better than any average bakery's. They remain a much-anticipated treat during the holidays. —Cindy Casazza, Hopewell, New Jersey
Don’t be daunted by this seven-layer cookie. It’s not as intense as it looks, and the effort is well worth it because this always ends up being one of the favorites on the tray.
5/25
Torcetti
From the Recipe Creator:
Our Sicilian grandmother often had my sister and me roll out the dough for these tasty torcetti. These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good without being overly sweet. —Joy Quici, Upland, California
Have you ever used yeast in a cookie recipe? It helps the cookies rise without baking powder or soda, and creates an airier, lighter texture. A combination of butter and shortening in the dough makes these torcetti melt in your mouth, and a generous coating of confectioners’ sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
6/25
Pignoli Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Cookies are the crown jewels of Italian confections. I can’t let a holiday go by without baking these traditional almond cookies rolled in mild pine nuts. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts
These pignoli cookies are made with almond paste, egg whites, sugar and confectioners’ sugar, and are naturally gluten-free. True to their name, there’s also a mountain of pine nuts (pignoli) in these cookies.
7/25
Struffoli
From the Recipe Creator:
Many of our holiday traditions center around the foods my mother made while I was growing up. These cookies, which we called 'strufoli,' bring back wonderful memories. —Sue Seymour, Valatie, New York
These are not your average Christmas cookies. Little pieces of this lemon and vanilla-perfumed cookie dough are deep-fried, coated in honey and decorated with sprinkles. It’s the perfect centerpiece for the holiday dessert table!
8/25
Anise Sugar Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
As much as I love giving away my baking, a few goodies—like these anise sugar cookies—are keepers. The light anise flavor and buttery texture make them a perfect Christmas treat. —P. Marchesi, Rocky Point, Long Island, New York
Fans of anise and licorice-flavored treats will love these cookies. They have anise extract and ground aniseed, so they’re packed with flavor. The vanilla frosting adds sweetness and subdues the anise flavor for those who can’t handle too much.
9/25
Amaretti Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These amaretti cookies are slightly crispy on the outside with a soft and chewy center. The classic Italian cookies are mildly sweet with a pleasant almond flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
There’s no shortage of almond flavor in these cookies, between the almond extract and almond flour. And since they use only almond flour, they’re naturally gluten-free, too!
10/25
Pizzelle Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These lovely, golden brown anise pizzelle cookies have a crisp texture and delicate anise flavor. I create them using a pizzelle iron. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida
The family pizzelle maker is a precious thing in Italian culture. In fact, they used to be so important that families would get custom pizzelle irons with their name engraved in the design. Even if you don’t have one that’s quite so precious, pizzelles are so good that it’s worth buying this one-trick pony kitchen tool.
11/25
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
This tasty biscotti is studded with dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios. It's delicious with tea or coffee. —Diane Gruber, Sioux City, Iowa
Red cranberries and green pistachios make this biscotti recipe a natural fit for the Christmas season. If you’re making a whole tray of different Italian Christmas cookies, make these biscotti first—they last the longest!
12/25
Cuccidati
From the Recipe Creator:
The compliments from family and friends make these Sicilian cookies worth the effort. It’s the best recipe I’ve found! —Carolyn Fafinski, Dunkirk, New York
Fans of Fig Newtons will love this Sicilian cookie. In addition to figs, the filling includes dates, oranges, raisins and walnuts for layers of flavor. A sweet vanilla glaze is the perfect finishing touch.
13/25
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I recently found this old family recipe in my mom’s kitchen. I made a few adjustments to streamline the process, and the cookies turned out wonderfully. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
The best cocoa powder, toasted walnuts and bold spices make these Italian chocolate spice cookies taste like they came straight out of an artisan bakery. In short, good ingredients make the best food; any Italian knows that.
14/25
Sesame Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These nontraditional European cookies aren't overly sweet and have a wonderful crunch from sesame seeds. They're the ideal accompaniment to a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea. —Sarah Knoblock, Hyde Park, Indiana
These sesame cookies are kind of like the nut-free version of pignoli cookies. The cookie itself is buttery and light, and the outside has a crisp crunch thanks to all the sesame seeds.
15/25
Italian Spumoni Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These festive cookies look and taste like they're made from scratch. But refrigerated cookie dough makes them a cinch to create. We'll never tell your secret! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Like the iconic ice cream, there’s a layer of pistachio, chocolate and cherry in each of these cookies. And, no, you’re not making three different cookie doughs. In fact, you’re not making cookie dough at all! This recipe starts with premade sugar cookie dough, so you can jump right into flavoring and coloring the three layers.
16/25
Fruitcake Christmas Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
As holiday gifts, these rich fruit-and nut-filled cookies are pretty and practical. These are great make-ahead Christmas cookies—the taste actually gets better over time! —Julia Funkhouser, Carson, Iowa
I know not everyone is ready to hop on the fruitcake train, but these cookies take the best aspects of fruitcake and turn them into a tender, chewy cookie. See for yourself!
17/25
Chocolate Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
These white chocolate-drizzled cookies are a cinch to make, so I’m happy to whip up a batch any time. My neighbors always look forward to them! —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa
Would you believe us if we told you there’s a box of chocolate cake mix in these biscotti? It makes the recipe so quick and, along with the chocolate syrup and mini chocolate chips, provides a deep chocolate flavor. That’s right, there are three types of chocolate in these biscotti. Four, if you count the white chocolate drizzle!
18/25
Italian Cenci Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother brought this special family recipe from Europe a century ago. Cenci can be 'dressed up' for any holiday—at Easter, I sprinkle yellow, pink and lavender jelly beans over them, and for Christmas, red and green candy sprinkles give the cenci a festive look. Even without the garnish, they always disappear fast! —Anna Coduto, Fullerton, California
Here’s another deep-fried Italian Christmas cookie, because believe it or not, deep-fried dough is very good. Once they’re fried, let the cookies drain for a bit on paper towels, then dust with confectioners’ sugar.
19/25
Lemon Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
With the growing popularity of gourmet coffees, cappuccino and espresso, I’m finding lots of people enjoy these classic Sicilian dipping cookies. —Carrie Sherrill, Forestville, Wisconsin
Lemons are a winter fruit, not a summer one. In fact, most citrus fruits are in season during the winter, which makes these lemon biscotti perfect for Christmas. Blood oranges would be great here, too. Use blood orange juice for the glaze for a nice pink color!
20/25
Citrus Almond Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These frosted goodies were a 'must' every Christmas in my mother's family. I think the blend of milk chocolate, toasted almonds, lemon and orange is cookie perfection. —Cherie Donohue, Happy Valley, Oregon
These citrus almond cookies are packed with flavor. From almonds and candy bars to orange zest, lemon zest, vanilla extract, lemon extract and even a little cinnamon, winter flavors shine in these cookies.
21/25
Cannoli Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves to visit a local Italian restaurant that has a wonderful dessert buffet. The cannoli is among our favorite choices, so I just had to come up with my own simple version. These sandwiches are best served the same day so the wafers remain nice and crisp. —Nichi Larson, Shawnee, Kansas
Admittedly, cannoli are delicious, but also a little hard to make. Cannoli cookies simplify the dessert while providing the same great flavors. They’re made from boxed vanilla wafers and a homemade whipped ricotta filling. Then, they are dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with mini chocolate chips.
22/25
Almond-Ricotta Twists
From the Recipe Creator:
A very dear friend gave me this recipe so I make these to remind me of our time together. I like to drizzle melted white chocolate or chocolate chips on the baked cookies. —Paula Prechtl, Brockport, Pennsylvania
Ricotta cheese makes these cookie twists tender and soft. They’re flavored simply with a hint of almond extract and a drizzle of melted chocolate. I would add slivered almonds just before the chocolate sets for some crunch.
23/25
Italian Lemon Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Christmas wouldn't be the same without my grandmother's cookies. A plate full of these light and zesty cookies is divine! —Elisabeth Miller, Broadview Heights, Ohio
Call in the help of tiny hands to twist the cookie dough ropes and add the sprinkles. They’ll love the task, and you’ll certainly get interesting shapes in the process. That’s half the fun!
24/25
Hazelnut-Espresso Sandwich Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
The inspiration for this cute cookie came from my sister's description of a hazelnut cookie she tried in Italy. She declared my version to be a wonderful approximation. My family likes to help fill and trim them. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois
To anyone who loves the idea of a Nutella-flavored dessert with a jolt of espresso, these cookies will become your new favorite on the Christmas cookie tray. Here, hazelnut espresso cookies sandwich a chocolate ganache for the most luxurious cookie of the bunch.
25/25
Italian Cornmeal Spritz Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
A chef at a local culinary school gave me this recipe, and I've been using it for years. Italian cornmeal cookies are from the Piedmont region of northern Italy. They're not too sweet, and the glazed cherries add just the right touch. — Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
To be honest, I always found regular spitz cookies a little too bland, soft and one-note tasting for my liking. But cornmeal is the genius addition that was missing all along. It adds a toothsome bite and slightly nutty, earthy flavor that turns a simple spritz into a whole new cookie.
Italian Christmas Cookie Recipes FAQ
What are the most popular traditional Italian Christmas cookies?
The most popular traditional Italian Christmas cookies are pizzelle, pignoli cookies, ricotta cookies, Italian horn cookies, rainbow cookies, biscotti, torcetti, anise cookies and struffoli. These are the old-world Italian cookie recipes that have been passed down through multiple generations. If you’re Italian or Italian-American, your family likely ate these cookies growing up.
Which Italian Christmas cookie recipes can be made in advance?
Most Italian Christmas cookie recipes can be made in advance. You can make, portion and freeze the cookie dough, or you can bake, cool and freeze the cookies before decorating. I wouldn’t recommend making Italian Christmas cookies like struffoli, pizelle and cenci too far in advance, as they’re delicate and best eaten within the first two days of making them.
What other Italian Christmas baking recipes can my kids help make?
Italian baking recipes kids can help with depends on their age. Younger kids can help with simpler, no-cook tasks, like layering the components of a tiramisu, building rainbow cookies, glazing biscotti and garnishing cannoli with mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts. Older kids can take on bigger projects, like learning how to make and churn gelato or frying cannoli shells or zeppole, with adult supervision, of course.
