Christmas Cookies - Pastini Di Natale

By mitzzy

Yum! These Italian Christmas cookies otherwise known as Pastini Di Natale are my families favorite! Give them a try and you'll see why!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups sifted flour
• Pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine (62.5 g)
• 1 egg yolk, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup milk (125 ml)
• 1 egg white
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup candied cherries (170 g)
• 1/2 cup almonds, chopped (60 g)

Preparation

Step 1

Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. Mix in butter or margarine with fingers. Add egg yolk, almond extract and milk. Mix to a firm ball.

Turn onto a floured board and knead for about five minutes. Chill.

Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch (5 mm). Cut into desired shapes and place on an un-greased cookie tin.

Beat egg white with sugar until foamy. Brush on each cookie. Decorate with candied cherries and chopped almonds.

Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for about ten minutes.