Description
Festive Neapolitan Christmas Cookies bring Italian holiday magic to your dessert table. Sweet layers of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry create a delightful treat you’ll treasure with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
Flavoring and Coloring:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract (or 3/4 teaspoon each of different extracts)
- Red gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
Finishing:
- 1/2 cup sanding sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring an even temperature for consistent baking.
- Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Incorporate egg yolks into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to maintain a uniform texture.
- Add vanilla extract for a classic flavor profile, stirring gently to distribute evenly.
- Gradually fold in flour, mixing until the dough just comes together without overmixing.
- Separate the dough into three equal portions on a clean work surface.
- Select desired flavor extracts for each dough portion, such as almond, peppermint, or citrus.
- Carefully tint one portion red and another green using gel food coloring for vibrant, consistent color.
- Gently roll each colored dough into elongated 18-inch logs, maintaining even thickness.
- Carefully press the three colored logs together, creating a tri-color design.
- Slice the combined log into uniform 1/2-inch pieces using a sharp knife.
- Roll each slice into a perfect sphere, ensuring smooth, round shapes.
- Generously coat each cookie ball in sparkling sanding sugar for a festive finish.
- Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly to prevent touching.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden, watching carefully to prevent overcooking.
Notes
- Customize flavors by swapping extracts like almond, peppermint, or orange to match holiday themes or personal preferences.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain crisp log edges during baking.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant, concentrated colors without altering dough consistency, ensuring bright holiday hues.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg