Christmas Cookie Recipe: Chocolate Italian Meatball Cookie Recipe

Growing up, I had 2 favorite Christmas Cookies.

The traditional sugar cookie cutouts that I’d decorate with my mom, and these Chocolate Italian Meatball Cookie Recipe that my neighbors (and second family) made each year. 

Since I loved these cookies so much, I have to carry on the tradition and be sure my kids can taste the same amazingness every year!!

There is no meat in these cookies LOL!  They may look like little frosted meatballs, but they taste more like a chocolate pumpkin pie.  These don’t have to just be eaten during Christmas time, but I would call these more of a winter cookie since there are similar spices in this that you’d find in pumpkin pie.

Ingredients you need to make your Chocolate Italian Meatball Cookie Recipe (Makes 8 dozen cookies)

• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 oz cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cup oil
• 1 stick butter (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 5 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 5 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 12 oz bag chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 lb (or 4.5 cups) confectionery sugar
• 1 stick butter (melted)
• 3 Tbsp cocoa
• enough milk to make frosting smooth

Instructions to make your Chocolate Italian Meatball Cookies:

1.  In a large bowl, place 1 1/2 cup sugar, 3 oz cream cheese, & 1 1/2 cup oil and beat until smooth.
2. Then add 1 stick of softened butter, 1 tsp vanilla, and 4 eggs.  Beat this again until smooth.
3. Add 1 cup milk, 5 cups of flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, 5 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cinnamon and beat until smooth.

4.  Fold in the 12 oz bag of chocolate chips and 1 cup of chopped walnuts.

5.  Refrigerate dough for 1 hour, as it makes it easier to work with.  You can even make this dough a day or two in advance and refrigerate until you can bake them.

6.  Use a small (2 tsp.) scoop and drop each scoop onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  If you use a larger scoop, the cookies will spread out and you’ll lose that “meatball” shape.  Bake at 350º F for 8-10 minutes.

7.  It’s not time to make the frosting!  Beat together 1 lb. of confectionary sugar, 1 stick of melted butter, 3 tbsp cocoa, and enough milk to make it smooth.  Wait for the cookies to cool before frosting.

Because this recipe makes so many cookies, this is a great cookie to bring to a Christmas cookie exchange party!  Or if you just want 4 dozen for your family, you can easily cut the recipe in half so you aren’t making so many all at once.

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Looking for more chocolate Christmas dessert ideas?  Check out these recipes:

Chocolate Covered Oreos – Christmas Version!

Chocolate Ganache Filled Sugar Cookie Cups

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Cake Recipe

Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Chocolate Ganache Topping Recipe