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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Italian Christmas Cookies / Pasta Frolla

Italian Christmas Cookies / Pasta Frolla

Last Updated November 19, 2020. Published November 19, 2020 By Rosemary 8 Comments

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These Italian Christmas Cookies are extremely popular anytime during the year, but especially at Christmas Time. Made with crostata dough (pasta frolla) and cut out into your favourite shapes. Crunchy and buttery they may just become your favourite cookie!

christmas cookies on a green christmas tree plate

I don’t think there is one household in Italy that doesn’t make cookies with pasta frolla. It is one of the must have pastry dough bases of every Pastry Store in the country. And I am sure everyone has their own recipe and method of making it. This is the dough I learned from my Mother-in-law and it is what I use for all my Italian pies and tarts including one of our favourites, Italian  Crostata.

This recipe makes a double pie crust, so whenever I make a single layer pie I always make some cut out cookies with the left over dough.

How to make the dough

In a large bowl (or mixer with paddle attachment or food processor), whisk together the flour, sugar and baking powder, create a well in the middle and add the slightly beaten egg and yolk and butter. Mix together until almost combined.

making the dough in a food processor, whisked dry ingredients and the dough almost combined

Move the dough to a slightly floured flat surface and gently knead the mixture to form a soft dough ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

the dough ready to be chilled

Remove  the dough from the fridge, divide it in half, roll out (one half of it at a time, the remainder keep chilled), on a lightly floured flat surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness or less if you prefer. Cut out with your favourite cookie cutters, place the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, chill while the oven is pre-heating.

cookies on a cookie sheet before & after baking

Bake until lightly golden, let cool then dust with powdered sugar, they can also be made into sandwich cookies, top one side of the cookie with your favourite filling, such as hazelnut cream or even jam.

cookies dusted with powdered sugar and filled with jam and hazelnut cream

What is Pasta Frolla?

It is a shortcrust pastry which is made of flour, salt, sugar, butter, eggs baking powder and sometimes flavours. It has a soft but compact texture, which allows it to be used to create pastries and biscuits. The pastry is crumbly but also compact.

How to store it

The cookies should be kept in an airtight container or bag. They will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days but can be kept up to 5-7 days if refrigerated. They can also be frozen in a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 1-2 months.

cookies on a wire rack

What can I add to the dough for flavouring?

If you wish you can add the zest of a lemon or even an orange, seeds from a vanilla bean or even some ground cinnamon. Add the additions with the flour.

What to make with Pasta Frolla dough

Besides making cooking this dough makes a delicious base to any pie of choice, such as this Tiramisu Pie, Italian Chocolate Pie, or this Strawberry Pie.

cookies on a wire rack with a christmas tree candle

More Delicious Italian Cookies

Canestrelli 

Italian Lemon Cookies

Italian Almond Cookies

Pizzicati – Italian Pinch Cookies

So if you are looking to add some delicious cookies to your cookie list this year, I would love if you tried these Italian Christmas Cookies and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

up close pasta frolla cookies

christmas cookies on a green christmas tree plate
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5 from 5 votes

Italian Christmas Cookies / Pasta Frolla

These Italian Christmas Cookies are made with crostata dough (pasta frolla). A crunchy buttery dough that makes the best cookies.
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Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings 44 cookies
Calories 48kcal
Author Rosemary Molloy

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour (227 grams)
  • ½ cup sugar (100 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ½ cup + 1 tablespoon butter (cold/salted) (131 grams)

Instructions

  • In a large bowl (or mixer with paddle attachment or food processor), whisk together the flour, sugar and baking powder, create a well in the middle and add the slightly beaten egg and yolk and butter. Mix together until almost combined then move to a slightly floured flat surface and gently knead the mixture to form a soft dough ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  
  • Remove  the dough from the fridge, divide it in half (roll out a half at a time, the remainder keep chilled), roll out on a lightly floured flat surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness or less if you prefer. Cut out with your favourite cookie cutters, place the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, chill the cookies again while the oven is pre-heating.
  • Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C).
  • Bake until lightly golden, approximately 10-12 minutes, let cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar, they can also be made into sandwich cookies, top one side of the cookie with your favourite filling, such as hazelnut cream or even jam. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @anitalianinmykitchen or tag #anitalianinmykitchen!

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    Filed Under: Christmas, Christmas Cookies, Cookies & Bars, Fall/Winter, Summer

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    1. Michele says

      June 23, 2021 at 11:22 pm

      I want to make double the batch and use half now and use the rest in 3 weeks. Would it be OK if I froze half of it until I’m ready to use the rest of it?

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        June 24, 2021 at 2:20 pm

        Hi Michele yes you can freeze the dough no problem, it will keep up to 6 months in the freezer, be sure to wrap it well and place in a freezer safe bag.

        Reply
    2. Elle says

      December 24, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      Salted or unsalted butter?

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 25, 2020 at 9:38 am

        Hi Elle, salted butter is what I use. If you use unsalted then add a pinch or 2 of salt. Merry Christmas.

        Reply
    3. Tori Santucci says

      December 17, 2020 at 4:09 am

      How cold should the butter be? Mine was very cold right out of the fridge and it took a lot of kneading for the dough to come together. It’s chilling now – I’m hoping these turn out like yours!!

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 17, 2020 at 12:19 pm

        Hi Tori, yes the colder it is the longer it will take, although it does make the baked cookie very flaky. Let me know how it goes.

        Reply
        • Tori Santucci says

          December 17, 2020 at 5:50 pm

          5 stars
          They turned out amazing! We added a teaspoon of orange zest and sandwiched some of the cookies with chocolate hazelnut spread. Definitely making these again for our Christmas Eve celebration – thank you!

        • Rosemary says

          December 17, 2020 at 7:59 pm

          Thank Tori, so glad you enjoyed them. Merry Christmas.

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