Delicious Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe with Cocoa and Orange Liqueur

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cup butter, softened
• 4 eggs eggs
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease two baking sheets to prevent sticking.
2. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. In a separate bowl, cream together the white sugar and butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs until well combined. Gradually stir in the cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of orange liqueur, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until just combined.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. Roll about 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough in your hands to form a log shape, then twirl into your desired cookie shape. Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown, approximately 10 minutes.
5. In a bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons of orange liqueur, water, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until the icing is smooth and creamy. Dip each cookie into the icing to coat. Place a sheet of waxed paper under a wire rack, then arrange the iced cookies on the rack to allow the icing to set completely.

Nutrition

• Calories: 204 kcal
• Fat Content: 5 g
• Fiber Content: 2 g
• Sugar Content: 20 g
• Sodium Content: 122 mg
• Protein Content: 4 g
• Cholesterol Content: 41 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 36 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g