20 Italian Christmas Baking Recipes for Your Cookie Tray

Italian Christmas baking recipes are what fill my kitchen every December. The smell of anise, almonds, orange, and warm butter takes me straight back to the holidays at home, when trays of cookies were cooling on every counter and everyone wanted to help.

I still bake the same way today, a little more every year, and I love to mix the classics with a few new favorites.

My Favorite Italian Christmas Baking Recipes

Here are 20 traditional and modern Italian cookies, cakes, and sweet breads, from pizzelle and amaretti to panforte, panettone, and ricotta cookies.

Some are easy enough for a quiet afternoon, and others are perfect for cookie trays, gifts, and Christmas dinner with family. Pick a few, put on some music, and enjoy the baking!

#1 Anise pizzelle

Pizzelle are thin, crisp Italian waffle cookies, and the anise version is the one that tastes most like Christmas to me. They’re light, delicate, and lightly sweet, with that warm licorice aroma.

You need a pizzelle iron, and each cookie bakes quickly, so it’s fun to make a big batch for the cookie tray.

Why I love it: Light, crisp, and full of old-fashioned anise flavor.

Get the recipe: anise pizzelle

#2 Panforte

Panforte is a traditional chewy Italian Christmas treat from Siena, packed with nuts, candied fruit, and warm spices.

It’s dense and sweet, and it’s perfect cut into small slices and served with coffee or wine. It keeps well, which makes it a lovely homemade gift.

Why I love it: A classic Christmas sweet that makes a beautiful gift.

Get the recipe: Panforte

#3 Italian Butter Cookies

These Italian butter cookies are buttery, tender, and simple, the kind of cookie you find in bakery boxes at Christmastime.

They’re easy to dress up with sprinkles, jam, or a little chocolate, which makes them a good choice for cookie trays.

Why I love it: Simple, buttery, and perfect for a cookie tray.

Get the recipe: Italian Butter Cookies

#4 Italian Ricotta Cookies

Italian ricotta cookies are soft, fluffy, and cake-like, with a delicate sweet flavor and a simple glaze on top.

The ricotta keeps them tender for days, and they’re a favorite for holiday cookie platters.

Why I love it: Soft, tender cookies that melt in your mouth.

Get the recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

#5 Pistachio Cookies

These Italian pistachio cookies are soft, chewy, and full of nutty flavor, with a lovely green color that looks festive on the cookie tray.

They pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or espresso after dinner.

Why I love it: Chewy, nutty, and pretty on any Christmas tray.

Get the recipe: Pistachio Cookies

#6 Canestrelli

Canestrelli are delicate egg yolk cookies from Piedmont, often shaped like little flowers and dusted with powdered sugar.

They’re crumbly and buttery, and they melt in your mouth. They’re lovely with tea or coffee.

Why I love it: My favorite. A traditional Piedmont cookie that feels special.

Get the recipe: Canestrelli

#7 Orange Panettone Recipe

Panettone is the iconic Italian Christmas bread, and this version combines chocolate and orange for a festive twist.

It’s soft and fragrant, wonderful for breakfast or dessert, and it makes a stunning centerpiece on the holiday table.

Why I love it: A homemade panettone with chocolate and orange flavors.

Get the recipe: Orange Panettone Recipe

#8 Polenta cake

Polenta cake is a classic Italian-style cake with a tender, slightly crumbly texture from the cornmeal. It’s simple and rustic, and it isn’t overly sweet.

Serve a slice with your morning coffee or afternoon tea, or dress it up with fresh fruit and a spoonful of whipped cream.

Why I love it: Simple, rustic, and made with pantry staples.

Get the recipe: Polenta cake

#9 Castagnelle Pugliesi 

Castagnelle are traditional Christmas cookies from Puglia, and they’re a lovely way to bring a regional Italian tradition to your holiday table.

They’re perfect if you like to try something a little different from the usual cookies, and they keep well for gifting.

Why I love it: A traditional cookie from Puglia you won’t find on every tray.

Get the recipe: Castagnelle Pugliesi 

#10 Amaretti cookies 

Amaretti are classic Italian almond cookies, crisp on the outside and soft and chewy inside, with a sweet almond flavor.

They need only a few ingredients and look beautiful stacked in a gift tin.

Why I love it: Crisp outside, chewy inside, and full of almond flavor.

Get the recipe: Amaretti cookies 

#11 Anise Biscotti

Anise biscotti are crunchy, twice-baked Italian cookies with a warm licorice flavor, made for dunking.

Dip them in coffee, tea, or vin santo, and keep a jar on the counter all through December.

Why I love it: Crunchy, fragrant, and perfect with a warm drink.

Get the recipe: Anise Biscotti

#12 Baci di Dama

Baci di dama means “lady’s kisses,” and these little hazelnut cookies are sandwiched with chocolate.

They’re delicate, crumbly, and elegant, perfect for gifts or an after-dinner treat with espresso.

Why I love it: Tiny sandwich cookies with chocolate and hazelnut.

Get the recipe: Baci di Dama

#13 Cherry Almond Cookie

Cherry almond cookies are soft and chewy, with sweet almond flavor and a pop of cherry in every bite.

The red cherries make them look festive, so they’re a lovely addition to any Christmas cookie tray.

Why I love it: Festive, chewy, and full of almond flavor.

Get the recipe: Cherry Almond Cookie

#14 Rainbow Cookies

Italian rainbow cookies are the colorful layered almond cakes you see in Italian-American bakeries at Christmas, usually with jam between the layers and a chocolate coating.

They take a little patience, but they look stunning and make the cookie platter feel special.

Why I love it: A showstopper for the cookie tray.

Get the recipe: Rainbow Cookies

#15 Ricciarelli

Ricciarelli are soft, chewy almond cookies from Siena, traditionally served at Christmas and dusted with powdered sugar.

They have a delicate, marzipan-like texture and a sweet almond flavor.

Why I love it: Soft, chewy almond cookies from Tuscany.

Get the recipe: Ricciarelli

#16 Cucidati (Italian Fig Cookies)

Cucidati are traditional Sicilian fig cookies, filled with a sweet, spiced mixture of figs and nuts and finished with a simple glaze.

They’re a beloved Christmas cookie in many Italian families, and they make a wonderful gift.

Why I love it: A traditional Sicilian cookie full of figs and nuts.

Get the recipe: Italian Fig Cookies

#17 Star Christmas Cookie

These star-shaped Christmas cookies are festive, simple, and fun to make with the whole family.

Cut them out and decorate them with sprinkles or icing, or pack a few in gift bags for neighbors and friends.

Why I love it: Festive cookies the whole family can decorate.

Get the recipe: Star Christmas Cookie

#18 Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies

Chocolate pizzelle are a fun twist on the classic Italian waffle cookie, with a deep chocolate flavor and a crisp, delicate texture.

Dust them with powdered sugar and serve them alongside coffee for an easy holiday treat.

Why I love it: A chocolate twist on a classic Italian cookie.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies

#19 Italian Chocolate Cookies

These soft Italian chocolate cookies are rich, cake-like, and chocolatey, like the ones you find in Italian bakeries.

They’re perfect for chocolate lovers, and they’re easy to bake ahead for the holidays.

Why I love it: Rich, soft, and perfect for chocolate lovers.

Get the recipe: Italian Chocolate Cookies

#20 Italian Wedding Cookies

Italian wedding cookies are tender, buttery almond cookies coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. They’re lightly crisp on the outside and soft inside, and they melt in your mouth.

They need only six simple ingredients, and you can freeze them for up to 3 months (roll them in powdered sugar after thawing), which makes them an easy cookie to bake ahead for the holidays.

Why I love it: Simple, snowy, and a classic on every Christmas cookie tray.

Get the recipe: Italian Wedding Cookies

Italian Christmas Baking: Tips & FAQ

How far ahead can I bake Italian Christmas cookies?

Many of them, like biscotti, amaretti, and pizzelle, keep well in an airtight tin for a week or more. Check each recipe for storage tips.

Do I need special equipment?

Pizzelle need a pizzelle iron, and the Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies and Anise Pizzelle use one. Most of the other recipes only need a baking sheet and a mixing bowl.

Which recipes make good gifts?

Panforte, Baci di Dama, Anise Biscotti, and Amaretti Cookies keep well and look beautiful in a gift tin.