A delightful variety of traditional Italian cookies including almond, butter, and jam-filled cookies, perfect for any festive occasion or casual tea time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Assorted Italian Cookies are the perfect blend of tradition, flavor, and festivity. With a mix of almond-flavored, buttery, jam-filled, and chocolate-dipped cookies, each bite offers a unique and delicious experience. These cookies are easy to make yet elegant enough to impress at any gathering, from casual tea times to holiday celebrations. Their colorful garnishes and rich flavors make them a favorite for both kids and adults. Whether served as part of a dessert spread or enjoyed as a treat with coffee, these assorted cookies are sure to become a beloved addition to your baking repertoire.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup almond meal (for almond-flavored cookies)
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam (for jam-filled cookies)
- 1/4 cup chocolate (for dipping or drizzling)
- Green and red candied cherries (for garnish)
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add flour and almond meal (if making almond cookies), and combine until the dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls, flatten slightly, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- For jam-filled cookies, create a small indentation in the center of each cookie, then fill with raspberry jam.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.
- For chocolate-dipped cookies, melt chocolate in a double boiler and dip half of each cookie in the melted chocolate.
- Decorate with candied cherries for a festive touch, or use chocolate drizzle for added flair.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 20 servings
Variations
- Lemon Flavored Cookies: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a refreshing citrus twist.
- Jam Filling Variations: Instead of raspberry jam, try filling the cookies with strawberry, apricot, or blueberry jam for different flavor profiles.
- Chocolate Coating Options: For a darker, richer taste, you can use dark chocolate for dipping or drizzling.
- Nuts and Sprinkles: Add finely chopped pistachios or sprinkle some colorful nonpareils on top of the jam-filled cookies for extra texture and flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month in a sealed container or zip-top bag.
- Reheating: These cookies are best served at room temperature and do not require reheating. However, you can enjoy them slightly warmed by placing them in a low-temperature oven for a few minutes if desired.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for these cookies?
All-purpose flour works best for this recipe, but you could try using gluten-free flour if you need a gluten-free version. Be sure to check the flour’s baking properties for the best results.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Allow it to soften slightly at room temperature before rolling and shaping.
Can I use a store-bought almond meal?
Yes, store-bought almond meal works perfectly for this recipe. Just ensure it is finely ground for the best texture in your cookies.
Can I use a different fruit jam?
Yes, you can substitute raspberry jam with other fruit preserves like strawberry, blueberry, or apricot. Each will give the cookies a unique flavor.
How do I ensure the cookies stay soft?
To keep the cookies soft, avoid overbaking them. Once they are golden brown on the edges, remove them from the oven immediately and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
How can I make these cookies more festive for the holidays?
To make these cookies more festive, you can decorate them with edible glitter, use holiday-themed sprinkles, or add seasonal flavors like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Roll it into balls and place them on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 1 month. Bake as usual from frozen, just adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I substitute butter for margarine?
Yes, you can substitute butter with margarine, but the texture and flavor may be slightly different. Butter gives a richer flavor and better texture to the cookies.
How do I make sure the chocolate coating hardens?
To ensure the chocolate hardens, allow it to cool completely after dipping the cookies. You can refrigerate them for about 10-15 minutes to speed up the process.
How can I make these cookies less sweet?
If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the dough or use a less sweet jam. You can also skip the chocolate coating or drizzle for a more subtle taste.
Conclusion
Assorted Italian Cookies are a timeless, festive treat that brings the perfect balance of flavor and tradition to any occasion. With a variety of cookies—from buttery and almond-flavored to jam-filled and chocolate-dipped—these cookies offer something for every palate. Whether you are preparing them for a holiday celebration, tea time, or just as a delightful treat, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Simple to prepare and beautifully garnished, they are a perfect way to share the joys of Italian baking with your family and friends.
Print
Assorted Italian Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful variety of traditional Italian cookies including almond, butter, and jam-filled cookies, perfect for any festive occasion or casual tea time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup almond meal (for almond-flavored cookies)
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam (for jam-filled cookies)
- 1/4 cup chocolate (for dipping or drizzling)
- Green and red candied cherries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add flour and almond meal (if making almond cookies), and combine until the dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls, flatten slightly, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- For jam-filled cookies, create a small indentation in the center of each cookie, then fill with raspberry jam.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.
- For chocolate-dipped cookies, melt chocolate in a double boiler and dip half of each cookie in the melted chocolate.
- Decorate with candied cherries for a festive touch, or use chocolate drizzle for added flair.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer other flavors, you can substitute raspberry jam with apricot or strawberry jam.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For extra flavor, you can add orange zest or almond extract to the dough for a more intense almond flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
