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Home » Christmas » Italian Christmas Cookies: 13 of the Best Recipes!

Italian Christmas Cookies: 13 of the Best Recipes!

December 1, 2018 , Updated December 12, 2020 Maria 6 Comments

A collage of cookies representing the best Italian Christmas Cookies.

Do you bake for the holidays? Are you looking for the best Italian Christmas Cookies? If you said yes, this recipe collection will rival any cookie made in an Italian bakery.

Here is my compilation of the best Italian cookie recipes with pictures.

A collage of some of the best Italian Christmas Cookies.
Italian Christmas Cookies: 13 of the Best Recipes!

The holiday season will soon be upon us.

Whether you are looking for recipes to give as hostess gifts, planning a cookie exchange, or simply baking for family and friends, these Italian Christmas cookie recipes are just perfect for sharing.

I’ve decided to share 13 of my favorites with all of you.  Did you know that the number 13 is good luck in Italy? It is associated with prosperity and abundance.

But there’s more! If you are looking for unique Christmas biscuits of Italian origin, be sure to check out more of my favorite Italian Cookies! 

Without further delay, here are 13 amazing recipes for you to bake this wonderful festive season.

Mostaccioli

A tray of Mostaccioli di Mamma Italian cookies on a white tray.
Mostaccioli di Mamma

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 the Mostaccioli cookies are shaped.

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Italian Lemon Cookies

Italian Lemon Knot Cookies aka tarallucci on a beautiful serving platter.
Italian Lemon Cookies

If you are a lemon lover, this easy cookie recipe is for you! Traditionally made at Christmas, these Italian Lemon 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 Cookies are shaped so that they retain their light and airy texture.

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Lady’s Kisses

An overhead shot of Lady's Kisses, aka Baci di Dama... One of the best recipes for your collection of Italian Christmas Cookies.
Lady’s Kisses

It’s no wonder these Lady’s Kisses, aka Baci di Dama, are seen throughout Italy. Made with hazelnuts, almond flour, and chocolate hazelnut spread, they make the perfect addition to your platter of Italian treats.

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PIZZELLE

A stack of vanilla and chocolate pizzelle.
Pizzelle

It’s almost impossible not to think of Italian holiday cookies without mentioning this traditional cookie. I have so many fond memories associated with this Pizzelle recipe. 

As a kid, I would sit on a stool in the kitchen and eat these crispy, light wafers as my grandmother was making them with her stovetop 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 post demonstrating how to make these cookies with a pizzelle iron as well as the secret to perfect crispy pizzelles.

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ALMOND BISCOTTI

A few Almond Biscotti standing upright in a glass.
Almond Biscotti

My love for these twice-baked cookies started with this family recipe for Almond Biscotti. I do not doubt that once you try these biscotti cookies, you will be filling your cookie jar with them.

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

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BRUTTIBONI

A tray of gluten free Brutti ma buoni... Italian hazelnut almond meringue cookies.
Brutti ma Buoni

This gluten-free recipe for Bruttiboni 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, there is a wonderful video, demonstrating how you can easily make this traditional Italian cookie.

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CIAMBELLINE AL VINO

Freshly baked Ciambelline al Vino on parchment paper.
Ciambelline al Vino

These Italian wine taralli also known as Ciambelline al Vino will provide you with the most irresistible crumbly texture. Your cookie platter must include this one! A must try!

The step by step photo tutorial provided in this post is all you need to make the best wine biscuits.

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S COOKIES

An overhead shot of Italian S cookies which are just perfect for Santa.
S cookies

If you are preparing a tray of cookies for Santa, you need to include these 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 an easy Italian recipe, this is the one for you!

This post includes a video demonstrating how easy this 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?

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PISTACHIO AMARETTI

An overhead shot of Pistachio Amaretti... the perfect recipe to include in your Italian Christmas Cookie platter.
Pistachio Amaretti

What a brilliant idea to combine pistachio and almonds to create this gluten-free Pistachio Cookie!

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THIN CRANBERRY PISTACHIO BISCOTTI

Overhead shot showing thin cranberry pistachio biscotti in a big wooden serving platter.
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

Here is another cookie recipe made with pistachio. This time it is combined with cranberries to create 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.

This Thin Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti recipe was created as a result of my experimenting with this family recipe for Thin Almond Biscotti. I think you are going to love both of these recipes.

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ABBRACCI

A stack of vanilla and chocolate cookies called Abbracci.
Abbracci

Just by looking at this cookie, you already know that it is going to be the perfect cookie to have with that espresso. A chocolate and vanilla flavored cookie hugging each other in the shape of a circle. Abbracci, in Italian means hugs.

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HOLIDAY BISCOTTI

Sliced Fruity Brazil Nut Jeweled Holiday Biscotti on a large tray.
Holiday Biscotti

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

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

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AMARETTI

An overhead view of amaretti on a gold colored plate.
Amaretti

This Amaretti recipe distinguishes itself 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 recipe testing for you so that you can get the best amaretti any time you make this big batch recipe.

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That’s it!

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

Be sure to check my category on Italian cookies, if you want to see more delicious cookie recipes.

Just in case you are not a cookie lover, I will share one more recipe that has been part of my family since the day I was born. Although not considered a cookie, these Italian Honey Balls are simply amazing.

STRUFFOLI

She Loves Biscotti

The unique combination of ingredients used to make these Struffoli was the result of my mother experimenting with her family recipe… it is truly one of a kind recipe, created by my Mom, Angela. She would have loved to share it with all of you.

I would like to dedicate this post to my Mom, who would have been 75 years old on December 3 ♥

Enjoy the video and have fun baking!

Christmas, Italian Cookies

About Maria

Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

Comments

  1. KO says

    December 15, 2019 at 14:33

    I made the Almond Biscotti twice in the last three weeks for the first time ever and found the recipe easy to follow. My family and guests all loved them. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes for Christmas. Buon Natalie!

    Reply
    • Maria says

      December 15, 2019 at 18:52

      How wonderful KO! I am thrilled to hear you are all enjoying these almond biscotti! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, appreciate it. Buon Natale to you and your loved ones as well!

      Reply
  2. Andrea Vitagliano Riahi says

    January 5, 2019 at 16:18

    Love the video watching you make Struffoli. Brings back so many memories. I remember my mother saying that my father insisted she make them no bigger than her little fingertip asthat is the way his mother (my grandmother) made them! I try to make these every other year as cannot make just a small batch.
    I found your sight looking for a traditional almond biscotti recipe and will let you know how they come out. I am sure they will be delicious.
    Felice Anno Nuevo!

    Reply
    • Maria says

      January 10, 2019 at 18:11

      Thanks so much Andrea! All the best to you and your family.

      Reply
  3. Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says

    December 1, 2018 at 18:22

    What a magnificent collection of recipes! My mouth is salivating looking at the pictures 🙂 . Makes you want to get baking!! Thank you for including our cookies!!

    Reply
    • Maria says

      December 1, 2018 at 18:26

      My pleasure Nicoletta! Thank you for allowing me to share this wonderful recipe of yours… I love Abbracci cookies ❤️

      Reply

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About Maria

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Hello and Welcome to She Loves Biscotti!
I'm Maria: dietitian and full time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth, to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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