Italian Christmas Cookies (Filled)

"These are cookies my grandmother used to make for Christmas every year. We always filled them with pre-made mincemeat or the filling in the recipe, but she has down two others in the recipe as well - ground raisins with cinnamon, cloves and sugar/orange juice/sweet wine, and almond paste with brown sugar and rum flavoring (meant to be sweet). Be creative with the frosting colors and sprinkles - that was the only part I was allowed to help with and we always tried to make them as "pretty" as possible."
 
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Ready In:
1hr
Ingredients:
14
Yields:
2 dozen
Serves:
24
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ingredients

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directions

  • Sift together flours and salt.
  • Cut shortening into flour mixture.
  • Melt 1/2 + 1/3 cup sugar in 1/2 cup water and pour into flour mixture and mix.
  • Roll out and cut into circles the size of a large can like fruit comes in, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
  • Make the filling by mixing together nuts, 2 tbsp sugar, and raisins.
  • Place a tablespoonful of filling on one side of each circle.
  • Wet the edges of the circle, fold over (should look like a half moon), and seal with a fork.
  • Prick the top of all assembled cookies with a fork to vent.
  • Bake at 400F for 7-10 minutes, until just turning golden.
  • Let cool.
  • Dust lightly with powdered sugar or make frosting by mixing 1 tbsp water, powdered sugar, and vanilla. If desired, frosting may be tinted with food coloring and sprinkles may be put on cookies immediately after frosting.

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Reviews

  1. My own mom used to make cookies like this, though I was always frustrated with her 'recipes' that called for a teacup of this & a smidgen of that! Still, she was a great cook! I followed your recipe right on down, although I didn't frost these little gems! They are absolutely some of the best tasting cookies I've ever had, & these were included in a huge neighborhood cookie exchange! I look forward to making these (using mincemeat) during the end-of-year holidays! Many thanks for sharing the recipe! [Made & reviewed for one of my adopted chefs in this Spring's Pick A Chef event]
     
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