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These almond Christmas treats transport me straight to my younger days. When that sweet vanilla and almond scent fills our kitchen while baking, I sometimes get emotional. Grandma showed me how to make these goodies many years back, and nowadays my children join me each December. There's something special about their soft cake-like feel and that sugary topping with bright sprinkles that brings joy to everyone.
Delightful Holiday Memories
These treats became woven into our family traditions many generations back. That airy sweet mixture with the perfect almond topping tastes like Christmas in a single mouthful. Every holiday period I bake tons yet still can't match how fast they vanish. The folks next door begin asking when they'll appear as soon as December starts.
What Goes Into These Cookies
- Flour: Standard all-purpose works wonders. I always scoop with a gentle touch.
- Sugar: Simple white sugar provides just enough sweetness.
- Milk: Whole milk creates extra softness.
- Eggs: Let them sit out so they're not cold when mixing.
- Baking Powder: This creates that wonderful fluffy texture.
- Oil: Regular vegetable oil helps them stay soft for days.
- Cookie Glaze: Just mix powdered sugar with almond extract and warm water.
- Sprinkles: Those small rainbow ones add a festive touch.
Getting Those Perfect Shapes
My tiny cookie scoop has turned into my greatest ally for these treats. Each scoop creates the ideal size every time. I put them roughly an inch apart on my trays and slightly flatten each one. The mixture doesn't spread during baking so I can fit many on each sheet which really cuts down my baking time during the busy holidays.
Making Them Just Right
Keep a close eye on these treats while they cook. About 8 to 10 minutes usually works in my kitchen. You'll want them barely turning golden. I enjoy dipping the slightly cooled treats in the sweet coating then placing them on my wire rack. After the first layer dries, a second coating makes them extra fancy. Add those colorful bits right away while everything's wet so they'll stick properly.
Keeping Them Soft
The trick to amazing Italian Christmas treats is catching them before they overbake. My oven runs a little hot, so I always look at them early. Nothing breaks my heart like dry cookies. Just 60 seconds can mean the difference between wonderfully soft and too crunchy. Go with your gut and take them out when they've just set up.
Fresh for Weeks
These goodies stay tasty practically forever in my storage containers. Well not literally forever but certainly a couple weeks. I stack them between sheets of wax paper in sealed tins and store them at normal room temps. I often make bonus batches for freezing. They'll keep for months frozen if you don't eat them first. Just push the air from your storage bags before putting them in the freezer.
Perfect Pairings
These treats taste amazing with a tall glass of cold milk. My little ones love soaking them in hot cocoa on Christmas Eve. Last season I offered them alongside some homemade apple pie moonshine for the grown-ups and everybody absolutely loved the mix. They stand out on any holiday sweet table especially when placed next to other Christmas goodies.
Save Time During the Holidays
The Christmas season gets incredibly hectic in my kitchen. I've learned to get these treats ready ahead to keep myself sane. Form the mixture into balls and stick them in the freezer. When you need fresh cookies just cook them while still frozen. Tack on a few extra minutes to the cooking time and they come out fantastic. This really helps during the Christmas rush.
Mix It Up
I sometimes try different flavors in these treats. A bit of orange extract gives them a wonderful citrus kick. My sis prefers them with peppermint especially around Christmas time. A few days ago I tossed some tiny chocolate bits into the mixture and my hubby said they were his new top choice. You can try so many different things with these.
Worth Every Bite
These Italian Christmas treats carry so many cherished moments for me. That soft inside, the sweet almond topping, those fun colorful bits on top. They don't take long to make but feel so meaningful. Whenever I bake them my kitchen smells like holidays old and new. They've become part of what makes our family special just like they were for my grandma.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I keep them soft?
- Bake just until they're set, about 8-10 minutes. They should be soft and pale, not browned.
- → What's the point of two glazes?
- The first glaze soaks into warm cookies to lock in the texture. The second adds an eye-catching finish and holds the sprinkles.
- → Can I swap the almond flavor?
- Sure! Try peppermint, orange, anise, or even rum extract for a twist on tradition.
- → Why aren't they spreading?
- They're made with oil instead of butter, which keeps the dough from spreading and lets you bake more cookies per batch.
- → How should the glaze feel?
- It should be thick but pourable, like molasses. Slowly add water to get the texture just right for coating.