13+ Italian Christmas Cookies

If you love to bake for the holidays, this is for you! This collection of Christmas baking recipes includes some of the best Italian Christmas cookies that are easy to make and so very delicious. Create the best platter of assorted homemade Italian cookies to share with family and friends this holiday season.

Whether you are looking for the best biscotti recipe or a nonna-approved pizzelle recipe, there is a cookie for all tastes. 

Calling all Christmas bakers!

It’s time to start baking for the holidays!

I am so excited to share authentic and traditional Italian cookies with all of you.

Whether you are looking for recipes to create the best holiday cookie box to give as hostess gifts, planning a cookie exchange, or simply wanting delicious treats at home during this holiday season of cheerfulness and giving- these Italian Christmas cookie recipes have it all covered.

This article shares some of my favorite cookie recipes I bake every holiday. I’m also sharing my traditional Italian family recipes my mom and nonna used to bake every Christmas. 

I hope you enjoy these yummy treats as much as my family does. Try out one or two new recipes to incorporate into your family’s tradition this festive season. They are sure to make fabulous additions to your cookie traditions for Christmas.

1-Biscotti Cookies

If you’re looking for a new Italian cookie recipe, look no further than these chocolate spiced biscotti. These cookies are made with almonds and chocolate in the filling which makes them pleasantly sweet while still packin’ plenty of flavor from the orange zest! Once baked they’ll quickly become one tasty treat to add to your rotation of favorite Italian Christmas recipes.

2-Italian Knot Cookies

If you are a lemon lover, this easy cookie recipe is for you! Traditionally made at Christmas, these Italian knot cookies, also known as tarallucci or anginetti have a cake light texture that is just perfect with an espresso.

This post includes a video depicting how these lemon knot cookies are shaped so that they retain their light and airy texture.

3-Ricotta Cookies

This easy Italian cookie made with ricotta cheese just became even easier and so much quicker to make by replacing the traditional lemon glaze icing with a little bit of glitter. They also require no eggs or butter, making these ricotta cheese cookies one of our favorite healthier recipes for this time of year!

4-Pizzelle

It’s almost impossible not to think of Italian holiday cookies without mentioning these traditional pizzelle cookies. I have so many fond memories associated with them. 

As a kid, I would sit on a stool in the kitchen and eat these crispy Italian waffle cookies as my grandmother was making them with her stovetop pizzelle maker -one at a time! My nonna would just smile at me. Eventually, I had my fill and would run off to play.

You will find a video in this article demonstrating how to make these cookies with a pizzelle iron as well as all of my secrets to make perfect crispy pizzelles. If you are a chocolate lover, I am sure you will enjoy this chocolate pizzelle recipe.

5-Almond Biscotti

My love for these twice-baked cookies started with this family recipe for almond biscotti. The minute you try these biscotti cookies, it will be hard to fill your cookie jar with any other kind.

This post also includes a video that demonstrates this easy recipe for the best homemade biscotti.

6-Bruttiboni

This gluten-free recipe for these Italian hazelnut cookies. also referred to as brutti ma buoni, has the perfect ratio of hazelnuts to almonds. It also has the perfect texture you come to expect from a meringue cookie. Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside.

Once again, a wonderful video demonstrates how you can easily make these Italian meringue cookies. 

7-Italian Wine Cookies

These Italian wine cookies, also known as Ciambelline al Vino, provide you with the most irresistible crumbly texture. Your cookie platter must include this recipe! It’s a must-try!

Be sure to take a look at the step-by-step photo tutorial to make the best wine biscuits.

8-S Cookies

If you are preparing a tray of cookies for Santa, you need to include these Italian S cookies… after all, it has his initials. This NO BUTTER, lightly sweetened cookie is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. If you are looking for one of the best Italian cookies, this is the one for you!

This post includes a video demonstrating how this easy Italian recipe comes together. Be sure to make a double batch as you will be grabbing these cookies throughout the day.  Would you believe me if I told you they make the perfect breakfast cookie?

9-Mostaccioli Cookies

A Southern Italian specialty that is extremely popular in Naples. My mom’s recipe will leave you speechless. Throughout her lifetime, she perfected the proportions of almonds, honey, spices, and dark chocolate to create a delicious chocolate-flavored cookie.

This post includes a video depicting how these diamond-shaped Italian cookies are made.

10-Thin Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

Impress your friends and family with this delicious thin biscotti recipe! The combination of pistachios and cranberries creates a unique Christmas cookie that not only tastes amazing but is addictive as well. The perfect addition to your Italian cookie trays for gift giving.

I created this copycat “thinaddictives Costco” recipe as a result of my experimenting with another family recipe for thin almond biscotti. I think you are going to love both of these recipes.

11-Italian Chocolate Cookies

By looking at this cookie, you already know that it will be the perfect cookie to have with that espresso. This moist, cake-like chocolate cookie is perfect for your holiday platter of cookies. 

12-Holiday Biscotti

The combination of dried figs, apricots, pineapple, cranberries, and Brazil nuts combine forces to make a very colorful Christmas biscotti.

The perfect Italian biscotti recipe that is just meant to be shared with family and friends.

13-Italian Almond Cookies

These Italian almond cookies distinguish themselves from the others as the ingredients include almond flour and whole eggs. Once you taste these gluten-free cookies, they will quickly become a family favorite.

I finally got this recipe right… after 4 attempts! I did all the testing for you so that you can get the best chewy almond cookies any time you make them.

That’s it! 

13 of the best Italian Christmas Cookies you need to make this holiday season.

If you are looking for more unique Christmas biscuits of Italian origin, be sure to check out this collection of Italian Cookies! 

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria