Christmas Cookies with Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The Scent of Home

There's a special time each year when the kitchen truly becomes the heart of the home. It's when the oven lights up, flour dances lightly on the counter, and the air fills with the unmistakable aroma of Christmas cookies. It's a simple act that speaks of care, dedicated time, and a love for good things. And when the secret ingredient is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), each cookie transforms into a small tribute to authentic Italy.

The Ingredient That Makes All the Difference in Your Holiday Baking

Anyone who grew up amidst olive groves knows: extra virgin olive oil is far more than just a condiment. It's the memory of harvests, the color of winter, the voice of hands kneading dough. In sweets, it lightens the texture by replacing butter and adds a unique fruity note that evokes the Mediterranean.

At Dolceterra, we cherish it for its natural, genuine, and distinctive character. We recommend a medium fruity EVOO  (smooth and fragrant) perfect for creating light, golden cookies that are ideal for gifting or sharing after a festive meal.

A Little Family Ritual: Italian Christmas Cookies

The magic always begins the same way: with Grandma's recipe.

Ingredients for Your EVOO Christmas Cookies:

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup (100ml) extra virgin olive oil

• Zest of 1 lemon (untreated)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or to taste)

• 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour

• And a whole lot of love!

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Stir in the extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

3. Gradually add the flour and baking powder, mixing until a smooth, fragrant dough forms.

4. Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

It's in this suspended time that everything takes shape: memories, laughter, and the desire to share. Children sneaking bits of dough, hands shaping stars, hearts, and little gingerbread men. And the house, slowly but surely, filling with warmth.

Oven's On: The Scent of the Holidays

Roll out the chilled dough with a rolling pin, cut out your desired cookie shapes, and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. As they bake, the aroma spreads like a warm embrace: it's the scent of anticipation, of Christmas Eve, of an Italy that still knows how to pause and savor simple pleasures.

Once cooled, you can decorate them however you like: a drizzle of dark chocolate, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a tangy lemon glaze for those who love fresh contrasts. For a dazzling surprise, try "stained glass cookies": simply cut a small hole in the center of some cookies, fill with crushed citrus hard candies, and bake again for a few minutes until the candy melts.

A Gift That Tells a Story: Italian Christmas Treats

Allow the cookies to cool completely before packaging them in tin boxes or glass jars decorated with a festive red ribbon. For elegant storage, explore our handcrafted ceramic cookie jars here: Cookie Jar Collection. You don't need much else: a handwritten label with your name will say it all.

In every cookie, there's the delightful aroma of fine olive oil, the taste of tradition, and the joy of sharing. When your loved ones open the package, they'll feel it's not just a sweet treat, it's a piece of Italy, a moment of handmade happiness.

Because, as we love to remind everyone at Dolceterra, the true magic of Christmas lies in the small things that smell of home and love.