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Italian Christmas Cookies - Anginetti Cookies

The best Italian Christmas cookies! Also known as anginetti cookies, they have a soft cake-like texture and are topped with a delicious glaze.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 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 eggs
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 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 zest optional

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:
    Cup of Yum
  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

  • US Cups: Click on the button "US Customary" for cup amounts, please note that I use grams for all my baking recipes because they're accurate and offer consistent results.
  • Dough: The dough is quite sticky, after you refrigerate it, it should be easier to handle, if it's still very sticky, flour your hands instead of moistening them with water before shaping the cookie balls.
  • Baking: The bake time for these cookies should be between 12-15 minutes, but every oven is different. Check the cookies a few minutes early to make sure they're not browning too much. The tops should look dry, slightly puffed, and lightly golden.
  • Icing: Cool the cookies completely before icing them. Icing the cookies whilst they're still warm can make the glaze super runny.
  • Sprinkles: Add the nonpareils or sprinkles right after you glaze each cookie, otherwise, the glaze will harden and they won't stick.
  • Storage tips: Store your Italian Christmas cookies in an airtight container or sealed jar. Keep them in a cool spot in your kitchen or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • Freezing tips: I like to freeze anginetti cookies without the glaze. Once you need them, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then glaze them a few hours before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories 159kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.2g 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: 16Serving

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.

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