Italian Anise Cookies are a must-have for your holiday cookie tray! These soft, tender cookies are infused with the warm, licorice-like flavor of anise and topped with a sweet glaze. If anise isn’t your favorite, you can easily swap it out for another extract, like almond, vanilla, or lemon, to suit your taste.
A holiday tradition for many families, these cookies are as festive as they are delicious. Whether you’re sharing them as neighbor gifts or adding them to a holiday cookie platter, they’re guaranteed to spread joy. Perfect for celebrating with loved ones or starting a new baking tradition of your own!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes
Ingredients
For the cookie dough:
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup butter, melted 1 stick
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2 large eggs
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¼ cup milk
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1 teaspoon anise extract
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2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
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2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
For the glaze:
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1 cup powdered sugar
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4 – 5 teaspoon milk
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1 teaspoon anise extract
Additional ingredients:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Beat the sugar, butter, eggs, milk and anise extract in a large bowl with a mixer until well blended. On low speed, beat in the flour, baking powder and salt until well blended.
- Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are a light golden brown. Remove cookies to a wire rack to cool.
- Prepare the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar, milk and anise extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze, and while the glaze is still wet, sprinkle on the nonpareils. Let set until glaze hardens.
Notes
- If you’re not really a fan of black licorice, feel free to substitute your favorite extract flavor in place of the anise extract!
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