These Neapolitan cookies are buttery soft with a delicate crunch featuring all the colors and flavors of the well-loved Neapolitan ice cream.

Why this recipe works

Today marks the first day of our 12 days of Christmas cookies for 2021. We’re kicking it off with this Neapolitan inspired butter cookie starting with a light almond-flavored dough mixed with chopped walnuts, a cocoa powder chocolate dough, and lastly a pink dough to represent the strawberry layer. Did we mention they’re made with just one dough? It’s easier than it looks!

See our 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2019 and our 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2020 for loads of Christmas cookie inspiration!

Ingredients you will need

2021: 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES

12 Christmas cookies you will love, PLUS bonus baking tips!

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Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

VANILLA LAYER – Instead of “vanilla” this layer is technically almond-flavored. You can, however, swap the almond extract out with vanilla extract if you would like. Almond extract adds depth and extra flavor to this dough. Here is where you will also be mixing in some finely chopped walnuts.

CHOCOLATE LAYER – We used unsweetened cocoa powder for the chocolate layer.

STRAWBERRY LAYER – You can either spruce up the strawberry layer with a drop or two of strawberry extract or by mixing in some freeze-dried strawberries – or simply leave it as is with some pink food coloring.

How to Make Neapolitan Cookies

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Cream together butter and sugar in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment for 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and almond extract, mix again scraping down the sides as needed.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add to the stand mixer and whisk until combined.
Remove from stand mixer and separate equally into 3 separate bowls.
In one bowl combine the dough with finely chopped walnuts to make the “vanilla” layer.
In a second bowl combine the dough with cocoa powder to make the chocolate layer.
In a third bowl, use plastic gloves to combine the dough with a few drops of pink or red food coloring. At this point, you can add some freeze dried strawberries OR a drop or two of strawberry extract to flavor it if desired.
Be sure to mix all dough thoroughly.
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Starting with the pink layer, flatten and level into the bread pan. Next, add the “vanilla” layer in the same fashion, and finishing with the chocolate. Chill covered in the refrigerator for 2 hours to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Remove from the bread pan and place onto a clean cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut slices of the dough approximately 1/8th-1/4 inch in thickness, and each slice again in half.
Lay the cookies on ungreased baking sheets approximately 1 inch apart. Bake for 12 minutes.
Gently use a thin spatula to remove from the baking sheet and place on a cooling rack until completely cool.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Can I freeze this cookie dough?

Yes, this dough will freeze well. I recommend splitting and prepping the three doughs before freezing. You can wrap the dough balls in plastic wrap and store them in a large ziptop bag in the freezer for 3-4 months. When ready to bake, remove the dough from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then start at step 9 of the instructions (layering the doughs together in a bread pan).

How long do these cookies keep?

Neapolitan cookies will last for up to a week sealed in an air-tight container or ziptop bag kept at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions

Our favorite way to gift Neapolitan cookies is to wrap them in cellophane baggies tied with a bow or place them inside a cookie tin with other baked goods. Though these cookies are part of our 12 Days of Christmas cookies countdown, they are certainly tasty year-round and don’t have any flavors directly linked to the holidays, so enjoy whenever!

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