Growing up with an Italian grandmother on my father’s side meant one thing was certain during the holiday season — the kitchen would be filled with the rich aromas of homemade pasta sauces, freshly baked bread, and, most importantly, an assortment of traditional Italian Christmas cookies. Every year, my grandmother would lovingly prepare tins brimming with a variety of these festive treats, each one representing a piece of our family heritage. Today, my cousins and I continue this beloved tradition, baking her recipes and sharing the joy with our own families.
If you’re looking to add some authentic, time-tested Italian cookies to your holiday baking lineup, you’ve come to the right place! Below, I’ve compiled 12 classic Italian Christmas cookie recipes that are sure to impress and delight everyone around your table.
1. Amaretti
Source: Mangia Bedda
Amaretti are quintessential Italian almond cookies that bring together a beautiful texture contrast: crunchy on the outside with a delightfully soft, chewy center. Their naturally sweet almond flavor is irresistible, and they’re often dusted with powdered sugar for a festive look. Traditionally made from almond flour or finely ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites, amaretti are gluten-free and perfect for anyone seeking a nutty, delicate treat.
Tip: Try dipping half of each cookie in dark chocolate for an extra indulgence!
2. Chocolate Toto Cookies
Source: All Our Way
Chocolate toto cookies are a rich and decadent treat hailing from Italian-American kitchens. These chewy, chocolatey cookies boast a mix of walnuts, mini chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and a bright hint of orange zest that elevates the flavor profile. Their dense texture and perfect balance between sweet and slightly bitter make them a crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering.
Tip: Use fresh orange zest to give these cookies a vibrant aroma that pairs beautifully with the walnuts.
3. Pizzelle
Source: Cuisinart
No Italian holiday spread is complete without pizzelle — traditional waffle-style cookies that are crisp, thin, and beautifully patterned. Made from simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and flavored with anise or vanilla, pizzelle are often served plain or dusted with powdered sugar. They’re also versatile: roll them into cones to hold ice cream or sandwich them with Nutella for an extra treat.
Tip: Invest in a good pizzelle iron to get the signature delicate pattern and perfect crispness.
4. Italian Thumbprint Cookies
Source: Real Simple/Jennifer Causey / Shutterstock
Italian thumbprint cookies are classic buttery shortbreads with a small “well” pressed into the center before baking. This cavity is filled with colorful jams — apricot, raspberry, or even fig — making them not only delicious but also visually festive. The crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture paired with sweet jam creates a nostalgic and charming cookie.
Tip: Mix a little almond extract into the dough for a subtle, fragrant twist.
5. Cucidati (Italian Fig Cookies)
Source: Saving Room for Dessert
Cucidati, also known as Italian fig cookies, are a rich and hearty cookie that beautifully encapsulate the essence of the holidays. These cookies feature a soft, buttery dough filled with a spiced fig mixture often enhanced with raisins, nuts, orange zest, and sometimes a splash of liquor like brandy or Marsala. After baking, they’re drizzled with a sweet lemon glaze that adds a refreshing citrus finish.
Tip: If you can’t find fresh figs, dried mission figs soaked in warm water or juice work perfectly.
6. Italian Wedding Cookies
Source: My Cultured Palate
Despite their name, Italian wedding cookies are not just for weddings — they’re a holiday staple, too! These tender, buttery cookies are loaded with finely chopped nuts (typically pecans or walnuts) and rolled in powdered sugar after baking, earning them nicknames like “snowball cookies” or “Russian tea cakes.” Their crumbly texture and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness make them addictively good.
Tip: Chill the dough before baking to help maintain their perfect round shape.
7. Italian Biscotti
Source: My Nourished Home
Italian biscotti are hard, twice-baked cookies that have been a favorite across generations. Traditionally flavored with almonds, anise, or citrus zest, biscotti are perfect for dunking in coffee, tea, or even sweet dessert wine. The double-baking process dries them out, giving them a signature crunch that makes them ideal for holiday gift tins.
Tip: Customize your biscotti with additions like dried cranberries, pistachios, or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
8. Tiramisu Cookies
Source: A Spicy Perspective
Who doesn’t love tiramisu? These tiramisu-inspired cookies bring the classic flavors of coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa powder into a soft, delicate cookie form. Infused with espresso and sometimes a hint of coffee liqueur, these cookies capture the essence of the traditional Italian dessert in every bite. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth treat with just the right amount of sweetness and bitterness.
Tip: Dust the cookies lightly with cocoa powder before serving for that authentic tiramisu finish.
9. Italian Ricotta Cookies
Source: Walking on Sunshine Recipes
Ricotta cookies might sound unusual at first, but the addition of ricotta cheese creates an incredibly soft, moist, and fluffy cookie that melts in your mouth. Often flavored with lemon or orange zest, these cookies are tender and subtly sweet, making them a light contrast to richer holiday treats.
Tip: Frost ricotta cookies with a simple glaze of powdered sugar and lemon juice for a beautiful presentation.
10. Italian Lemon Drop Cookies
Source: Food Network
If you adore lemon-flavored desserts, Italian lemon drop cookies are a must-make. These soft, cake-like cookies are bursting with bright citrus flavor and often coated in a sugary glaze or dusted with powdered sugar. Their refreshing tang is the perfect palate cleanser amid richer holiday sweets.
Tip: Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the most vibrant lemon flavor possible.
11. Baci di Dama
Source: As Easy As Apple Pie
Meaning “lady’s kisses,” Baci di Dama are small, elegant hazelnut cookies sandwiched together with a rich layer of chocolate. Originating from Piedmont in Northern Italy, these cookies combine the nuttiness of toasted hazelnuts with the silky smoothness of dark chocolate, creating a bite-sized indulgence that’s both sophisticated and comforting.
Tip: Toast the hazelnuts before grinding to bring out their full flavor.
12. Italian Spumoni Cookies
Source: Food Network
Inspired by the traditional Italian spumoni ice cream, spumoni cookies are an elevated version of chocolate chip cookies. These soft, chewy cookies are studded with chocolate chunks and nuts, often pistachios and cherries, mimicking the classic spumoni flavor combination. They’re the perfect festive cookie to bring a little extra indulgence to your holiday spread.
Tip: Add a splash of almond extract to the dough to enhance the spumoni flavors.
Beyond the Cookies: Creating a Festive Italian Christmas Cookie Board
Now that you have a fabulous lineup of Italian Christmas cookies, why not showcase them in a fun and festive way? A cookie board inspired by the classic Italian antipasto platter can be a unique addition to your holiday parties.
How to Build an Italian Cookie Board:
- Arrange different cookies in clusters around a large wooden board or platter.
- Add small bowls of Italian-inspired accompaniments like candied nuts, fresh figs, marinated olives (for a sweet-savory twist), and honey.
- Decorate with sprigs of rosemary, fresh citrus slices, or cranberries for a pop of color.
- Include a variety of Italian coffee blends or hot chocolate to sip alongside.
This board makes for a delightful centerpiece that invites guests to sample a little bit of everything — kids and adults alike will love it!
Final Thoughts :
Italian Christmas cookies are more than just desserts — they’re a connection to family, heritage, and holiday traditions that span generations. Whether you’re baking amaretti with almonds or assembling a batch of pistachio-laden spumoni cookies, you’re participating in a centuries-old celebration of flavor, warmth, and togetherness.
So, this holiday season, grab your mixing bowls, invite your loved ones into the kitchen, and start creating your own batch of delicious Italian Christmas cookies. Buon Natale and happy baking!
