20 Italian Cookie Recipes You Will Never Stop Loving

Get a little taste of Italy at home.

By

Published on December 21, 2024

A plate of ricotta cookies with glaze and topped with rainbow sprinkles — Photo:
AllRecipes / Qi Ai

Make room in your recipe box for your new favorite cookies. Italy has no shortage of rich and sweet cookies, and we've collected some of our top-rated recipes that need to be made. From biscotti to celebration-worthy Italian Easter cookies and traditional pizzelles, you'll find exactly what you're looking for in this collection of our best Italian cookies.

01 of 20

Italian Cookies

Plate of Italian cookies with a cup of coffee and napkin. — Allrecipes/Qi Ai

These light and fluffy Italian cookies are sweet, but not too sweet. Plus, this recipe comes together with only six ingredients in about half an hour.

02 of 20

Italian Knot Cookies

stack of Italian knot cookies with sprinkles — Rita

"These Italian knot cookies are soft, sweet, glazed Sicilian biscotti, from a recipe my great-grandmother gave me, not hard like traditional biscotti, not baked twice," says Allrecipes member ROBBILYNNE. "These should be kept in an airtight container."

03 of 20

True Amaretti

True Amaretti

"Italian recipe for almond cookies, destined to be your favorite recipe ever!" says Allrecipes member Oana. "They are sure to disappear off your table."

04 of 20

Chef John's Almond Biscotti

almond biscotti — Chef John

"My almond biscotti recipe is pretty straightforward and you are rewarded with a big batch of classic Italian dipping cookies," says Chef John. "You can add hazelnuts, pistachios, and any type of dried fruit. Or dip them in dark chocolate."

05 of 20

Classic Anise Pizzelle

close up view of a pile of Pizzelles garnished with powdered sugar on a platter — HerMajestyTheChef

"Traditional wafer-like anise Italian cookies made with a pizzelle iron," says Allrecipes member Betty. "Decorate with powdered sugar or melted chocolate for a holiday treat!"

06 of 20

Savoiardi

Savoiardi

"Thank you for a great recipe! I grew up on Savoiardi biscuits and they are undoubtedly my favorite thing to dunk in coffee," says reviewer Linda. "I coated them in caster sugar as soon as they came out of the oven."

07 of 20

Italian Hazelnut Cookies with Nutella

Italian Hazelnut Cookies with Nutella® hazelnut spread

"If you like hazelnuts, you will LOVE these cookies! I ground the hazelnuts myself and intentionally coarse ground, leaving some larger bits of nut," says reviewer Maggie. "It made the dough more difficult to handle but gave the cookies great texture, flavor, and crunch. This is definitely a keeper!"

08 of 20

Cantuccini

Cantucci, a form of crunchy biscotti, is an almond cookie that is almost impossible to stop eating. For the full Italian experience, serve with hot coffee.

09 of 20

X Cookies

closeup of a pastry with fig and raisin filling — Nancy Graner

"This is a tasty filled cookie in a cake-like pastry. The filling is mostly figs, with some nuts and raisins, chocolate and cinnamon," says Allrecipes member Barbara. "The cookies are filled, then cut and formed into X shapes before baking."

10 of 20

Uncle Frank's Italian "S" Cookies

Uncle Frank's Italian "S" Cookies

"This cookie has been a tradition for several generations in my Sicilian family. Our Uncle Frank always made them for us," says Allrecipes member mrsjohnson. "They are thought to be a Christmas cookie, but he would make them all year long. Sometimes instead of sprinkles, he would top them with sesame seeds."

11 of 20

Gina's Italian Butter Cookies

close up view of Italian Butter Cookies garnished with chocolate and sprinkles on a plate — NIGGI823

These are traditional Italian-American bakery-style butter cookies. "I love these cookies, and this recipe is the one I've been working with for a long time now. For me, these cookies are a MUST-HAVE in my home," says reviewer Brandon Williams.

12 of 20

Italian Anisette Cookies

yellow Italian Anisette Cookies with white icing

"A great and unique cookie recipe," says reviewer M. McBride. "Everyone loved them. They are very light and fluffy with a great flavor."

13 of 20

Florentine Cookies

Unknown

"These Florentine cookies, or lace cookies, are simple to make and gorgeous to look at. This cookie technique is versatile and adaptable to any kinds of nuts or chocolate," says Chef John. "They also keep pretty well so they're perfect if you're looking for an idea for an edible holiday gift for any cookie lover on your list—just stack them up in a box and tie with a bow!"

14 of 20

Italian Easter Cookies

Italian Easter Cookies — lindacookley

"These are just like my nonna and my mother made," says reviewer CARM DAVENPORT. "I could never find the exact recipe, but this is really close. I made a batch for a cookie exchange, and I've had to make them three more times to have any left for Christmas Eve. Very good!"

15 of 20

Italian Wedding Cookies

A plate of Italian wedding cookies, coated in powder sugar — Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"These Italian wedding cookies are sometimes called Mexican wedding cookies or butterballs and can be shaped into crescents. They're also delicious made with pecans or hazelnuts instead of almonds," says Allrecipes member Chris Hetherington. "This recipe was given to me by a friend who grew up in central Europe; they are the best wedding cookies I've ever had."

16 of 20

Aunt Anne's Sesame Cookies

sesame cookies cooling — Chip Birge

"After trying my hand at countless sesame cookie recipes, my Italian girlfriend shared her Aunt Anne's recipe and I knew my search had ended," says Allrecipes member DianeF. "Basically an anise flavored butter cookie covered in sesame seeds. The smell when removing them from the oven is wonderful!"

17 of 20

Ricotta Cookies

A plate of ricotta cookies with glaze and topped with rainbow sprinkles — AllRecipes / Qi Ai

"These Italian ricotta cookies with an almond-flavored glaze and colorful candy sprinkles are soft, tender, and delicious," says Allrecipes member Sandy. "Perfect for the holidays!"

18 of 20

Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti

Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti — SHORECOOK

This absolutely irresistible Italian take on the cinnamon-packed snickerdoodle is too good to pass up.

19 of 20

Ravioli Dolce (Sweet Ravioli)

154743 Ravioli Dolci (Sweet Ravioli) photo by Anita Louise McKennon-Paxton resized

Who doesn't love ravioli? These sweet little dumplings are filled with cherry preserves, but you can use whatever fruit you want.

20 of 20

Italian Cheesecake Cookies

Italian Cheesecake Cookies — Photo by Pam Ziegler Lutz.

These miniature cheesecakes are "a little bite of heaven," according to Allrecipes member Rita. Top with the sauces, fruits, or nuts of your choice.

More Inspiration

crackled molasses chai latte cookie propped on tea saucer — Kim Shupe

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