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### Instructions:
#### Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat to ensure the cookies don’t stick during baking.
#### Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the **flour**, **baking powder**, **baking soda**, and **salt**. Mix them together and set aside.
#### Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the **butter** and **granulated sugar** using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about **3-4 minutes**. This step is crucial because it helps to incorporate air into the dough, giving the cookies a lovely texture.
#### Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts
Next, beat in the **eggs**, one at a time, ensuring each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add the **vanilla extract** and **almond extract**. These extracts give the cookies a fragrant, aromatic flavor, with the almond giving a distinctly Italian touch.
#### Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until everything is just combined. If you’re adding in any optional ingredients like **chocolate chips**, **candied citrus peel**, or **chopped nuts**, fold them into the dough now.
#### Step 6: Form the Cookies
Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can roll the dough into little balls if you want a more uniform look. These cookies don’t spread much, so they’ll maintain their shape.
#### Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for **8-10 minutes**, or until the edges are lightly golden. They should still be soft in the center. The baking time might vary slightly depending on the size of your cookies, so keep an eye on them.
Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
#### Step 8: Dust with Powdered Sugar
After the cookies have cooled completely, **dust them with powdered sugar**. This final touch adds sweetness and a beautiful finish to each cookie. If you want, you can serve them on a platter, creating a festive look for any holiday gathering.
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### Why These Cookies Are So Special
1. **Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor**: The beauty of these cookies lies in their simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients—flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and a couple of key extracts—you get a cookie that’s both delicate and flavorful. The addition of almond extract gives them that unmistakable Italian bakery taste.
2. **Versatility**: While my grandmother made them at Christmas, there’s no rule saying these cookies are for a specific time of year. With their soft, slightly crisp texture and dusting of powdered sugar, they’re perfect for any occasion. Enjoy them as an everyday treat, bring them to a gathering, or serve them as a dessert for your next dinner party.
3. **A Family Tradition**: For me, these cookies are a link to my heritage. Every time I bake them, I think of my grandmother in her kitchen, smiling as she pulled a fresh batch from the oven. It’s not just about the cookies—it’s about the memories they carry with them.
4. **Perfect Pairing with Coffee or Tea**: These cookies are the perfect companion to a warm cup of **coffee**, **tea**, or even a glass of **wine**. Their subtle sweetness and crisp texture pair beautifully with your favorite hot beverage, making them a go-to snack for anytime.
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### A Sweet Tradition to Keep Alive
This recipe for **Italian Christmas cookies** is more than just a holiday treat—it’s a tradition that transcends seasons and generations. The simple act of baking these cookies connects me to my roots, my family, and the love my grandmother put into every meal she made. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies are bound to become a favorite in your household too.
So, don’t wait for Christmas—bake them today, and savor the sweet, comforting taste of Italian tradition, year-round.
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