Description
Delightful Italian Anise Christmas Cookies that are soft, aromatic, and perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon anise extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 1 tablespoon water (for icing)
- Colored sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the anise extract and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
- For the icing, mix the powdered sugar with water until smooth, then drizzle it over the cooled cookies and top with colored sprinkles.
Notes
- For a stronger anise flavor, increase the anise extract to 1.5 tablespoons.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
- You can substitute almond extract for anise if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg