Butter biscuits: is there something magical about the aroma of freshly baked biscuits that fills the house during the Christmas holidays?

Every year, thousands of butter biscuits are baked in Italian kitchens to celebrate Christmas. These delicious treats, with their irresistible aroma and crumbly texture, have become an undisputed symbol of our festive traditions.

Our recipe for Christmas butter biscuits is simple but special. We have perfected each step to ensure perfect results, even if it is your first time making these classic Christmas biscuits.

In this detailed guide, we’ll show you how to make the most delicious butter biscuits you’ve ever tasted. From ingredient selection to decorating techniques, we will take you step by step through this sweet Christmas journey.

Are you ready to get started? Get your apron ready and fire up the oven!

Ingredients and Equipment Needed

To prepare our delicious Christmas butter biscuits, we start by gathering all the necessary ingredients and equipment.

Here are the basic ingredients:

  1. 150g softened butter
  2. 180g sugar
  3. 470g 00 flour
  4. 3 eggs at room temperature
  5. Vanillin or vanilla extract
  6. 8g baking powder
  7. A pinch of salt

As far as equipment is concerned, it is essential to have some professional tools. A non-stick rolling pin with the appropriate shims is essential to obtain an even thickness of the dough. A micro-perforated baking tray will ensure perfect and even baking of our biscuits.

For Christmas decorations, we prepare:

  • Christmas biscuit cutter set (stars, little trees, gingerbread men)
  • Sac à poche with decorative nozzles
  • Quality food colouring
  • Edible decorations such as glitter and coloured sprinkles

To store and present our butter biscuits, transparent food bags and decorative ribbons are useful. These are also perfect for turning our treats into pretty Christmas gifts.

Preparing the Perfect Dough

The perfect preparation of butter biscuits starts with the right temperature of the ingredients. To make an ideal dough, we work with ‘cream’ butter – soft but not melted. The secret lies in letting it soften naturally at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Here are the basic steps for a perfect dough:

  1. Work the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy
  2. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well
  3. Gradually incorporate the sifted flour
  4. Knead quickly until a homogeneous mixture is obtained
  5. Divide the dough into two dough balls
  6. Wrap in plastic wrap and leave to rest in the fridge

Restingin the fridge is crucial: at least 3-4 hours are needed, but ideally the dough should be left to rest overnight. This step allows the gluten to relax and the butter to solidify again.

When rolling out the dough, knead only a portion at a time, keeping the rest cold. We use the rolling pin shims to obtain an even thickness of about 3 mm. For a perfect cut, we lightly flour only the upper part of the dough, leaving the lower part clean for better adherence to the work surface.

Before baking, one last trick: we put the tray with the carved biscuits in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. This extra step will ensure that our butter biscuits keep their shape perfectly during baking.

Creative Christmas Decorations

Now that our butter biscuits are ready, we can unleash our creativity with Christmas decorations. Royal icing is our best ally for turning simple biscuits into small festive works of art.

Here are the main steps for decorating our Christmas biscuits:

  1. Prepare the basic white icing
  2. Divide into portions for the different colours
  3. Always start with the white decorations
  4. Allow to dry for 30-60 minutes
  5. Proceed with the coloured details

To create perfect Christmas decorations, we always work with an icing of the right consistency: it should be thick for outlines and slightly more fluid to fill surfaces. A professional trick: when using several colours, always start with white and let it dry completely before adding new coloured elements.

For our Christmas butter biscuits, we can create beautiful themed designs: stars with white spokes and golden centre, little trees with polka dot decorations, reindeer with bright red noses, and gingerbread houses with snowy roofs. The key is patience: each layer must dry perfectly before proceeding with the next.

Valuable tip: to store the icing while working, cover it with contact film to prevent it from drying out. Decorated biscuits can be stored for three weeks in an airtight box, keeping all their Christmas beauty intact.

Conclusion

Making Christmas butter biscuits is more than just a recipe – it is a special way to bring the magic of Christmas into our homes. These delicious treats, carefully prepared and creatively decorated, encapsulate the essence of the Italian festive season.

The key to success lies in attention to detail: ingredients at the right temperature, resting times respected and decorations made with patience. By following our tips, you too can create perfect biscuits that will delight family and friends during the festive season.

Remember that the real beauty of this Christmas tradition lies in the time spent on preparation, the joy of watching the biscuits take shape and the pleasure of sharing them with loved ones. These butter biscuits are not just delicious sweets – they are precious memories that last.

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