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Italian Christmas Cookies - Anginetti Cookies
5 from 15 votes

Italian Christmas Cookies - Anginetti Cookies

Italian Christmas Cookies, known as Anginetti, are soft, slightly sticky lemon-scented cookies made from butter, sugar, eggs, and flour with a touch of baking powder. After chilling the dough, the cookies are shaped into small balls and baked until lightly golden. They are traditionally glazed with a simple lemon or milk icing and optionally decorated with sprinkles, providing a sweet, tender treat enjoyed during the holiday season.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 159 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 75 g butter softened
  • 60 g sugar
  • 3 egg
  • lemon zest of 1
  • 280 all-purpose flour or flour 00
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
For the icing:
  • 130 g powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon Sprinkles optional
  • 1 tablespoon lemon optional, zest

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, place the butter and sugar and whisk them together using a hand mixer until you have a light and fluffy mixture, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add one egg at a time, beating after each addition, then add lemon zest. After all the eggs have been incorporated, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and whisk until combined.
  3. Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix with a spatula until combined. Do not overmix. You will have a soft, slightly sticky dough. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15-30 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F or with the fan option on at 140°C/280°F. Arrange the baking tray onto the middle shelf.
  5. Slightly wet your hands and form small balls (around 24 grams/0.8 oz each), you can also use a cookie scoop. Arrange them on a baking tray covered with parchment paper.
  6. Transfer the cookie tray to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until slightly golden on top. I like to check on them a few minutes earlier to make sure they don't brown too much. The cookies may crack a bit as they puff up during the baking process, that's ok! Remember that they will be covered in glaze.
  7. Remove the anginetti cookies from the oven, allow to cool slightly, then arrange them on a wiring rack and cool completely.
  8. Once the cookies are cool, sprinkle them with powdered sugar, or dip the tops of the cookies in glaze and return them to the wire rack. Immediately top with sprinkles or lemon zest and allow the glaze to set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in a single layer.
For the icing:
  1. In a small bowl whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth, adding in more milk 1 teaspoon at a time to thin as needed ( don't add too much milk, it should be a quite thick glaze).

Notes

  • Use grams for accurate measurements as the dough is sensitive to ratios.
  • Refrigerate the dough for at least 15-30 minutes to ease handling due to its sticky texture.
  • Form cookie balls with moist hands to prevent sticking.
  • Check cookies early in baking to avoid over-browning; tops should be dry and lightly golden.
  • Cool cookies completely before icing to prevent runny glaze.
  • Add sprinkles immediately after glazing before the icing hardens.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container in a cool place or refrigerate for up to one week.
  • Freeze unfrosted cookies and glaze after thawing for best results.

Nutrition Information

Calories 159kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g (2%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Trans Fat 0.2g (10%) Cholesterol 41mg (14%) Sodium 96mg (4%) Potassium 35mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 165IU (3%) Vitamin C 0.5mg (1%) Calcium 41mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 159

% Daily Value*

Calories 159kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g 2%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 96mg 4%
Potassium 35mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 165IU 3%
Vitamin C 0.5mg 1%
Calcium 41mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.