These anise cookies, also called Italian Anisette Cookies, are a holiday dessert favorite, just like my Thumbprint Cookies that everyone goes crazy over.
Why we love this recipe
Whether you choose to make these cookies with anise or without, they always seem to be a crowd-pleaser. Since this recipe makes a lot of cookies, they also make the perfect treats to bring along to a holiday gathering or family get-together.
I’m British, so naturally, I love the licorice flavor in Italian anisette cookies. You can certainly replace the anise extract in this recipe with lemon or vanilla extract if you have people who love the texture of these cookies, but not the licorice flavor. They will taste delicious either way, I promise!
Ingredients you need
This recipe is a little different than most cookies in that you will melt the butter. I promise it works!
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How to make Italian anisette cookies
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!
For cookies:
- Melt butter and shortening together. Add the sugar; mix well.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the anise extract.
- Sift or whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add to creamed mixture gradually. If the dough is too sticky to roll in the palm of your hand, add flour until firmer, but it should be very soft.
- Roll dough into small balls, about 1/2 tablespoon each, and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake @ 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes (the bottom should be lightly browned but the tops should remain light). Remove cookies to wire rack and cool completely before glazing.
For the glaze:
- Mix milk GRADUALLY into confectioners’ sugar to make a thick glaze… make sure to keep it on the thick side.
- Dip top of each cookie into glaze.
- Sprinkle with colored jimmies or nonpareils while glaze is still wet.
- I usually dip 10-12 cookies, return them to the wire rack (with wax paper under the racks to aid in clean up!) and then sprinkle those cookies before starting to dip more.
Decorating tip:
Dip and sprinkle 5 cookies at a time, that seemed to be the magic number before the glaze would start to harden.
This Italian anisette cookies recipe makes a lot of cookies, depending on how large you roll them. As instructed you should get about 6 dozen.
I hope you enjoy these anisette cookies as much as my family and I do! We love the fact that this recipe makes so many cookies, which means I have a little sweet treat to snack on throughout the week.
If you’re a licorice fan like me you might want to make these black licorice caramels from Barbara Bakes and these Lemon Licorice Cupcakes from Shugary Sweets!
Cookie fanatic?
Be sure to check out all the cookie recipes on the blog! Some favorites include…
- Monster Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Neapolitan Cookies
This post was originally published on this blog on December 8, 2008.
Anise Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter or margarine
- ¼ cup shortening
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. anise extract can use vanilla or lemon extract instead
Glaze:
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 3 Tbsp. milk
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- You can substitute 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tsp. almond extract for the anisette if you really don’t like licorice flavor.
- Makes a lot of cookies, depending on how large you roll them.
- Dip and sprinkle 5 cookies at a time, that seemed to be the magic number before the glaze would start to harden.
Instructions
For cookies:
- Melt butter and shortening together. Add the sugar; mix well. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the anise extract. Sift or whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture gradually. If the dough is too sticky to roll in the palm of your hand, add flour until firmer, but it should be very soft. Roll dough in small balls (these tend to really puff up with all the baking powder in them!) and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake @ 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes (the bottom should be lightly browned but the tops should remain light). Remove cookies to wire rack and cool completely before glazing.
Amanda’s notes:
- Next time I will be more careful with the flour, I think I added a bit too much. The tops of my cookies cracked. I also used my cookie scoop and filled it half way, which seemed to work pretty well.
Glaze:
- Mix milk GRADUALLY into confectioners’ sugar to make a thick glaze… make sure to keep it on the thick side. Dip top of each cookie into glaze. Sprinkle with colored jimmies or nonpareils while glaze is still wet. I usually dip 10-12 cookies, return them to the wire rack (with wax paper under the racks to aid in clean up!) and then sprinkle those cookies before starting to dip more.
Amanda’s notes:
- I dipped and sprinkled 5 at a time, that seemed to be the magic number before the glaze would start to harden.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Susan Eaton says
These are pretty and just like we make them! I know you made these a few years ago but they are my favorite. They are also called “Angeletti” cookies and we don’t use anise in ours either but vanilla and lemon flavors. We put lemon zest in the dough and lemon juice in the powdered sugar icing that you dip. My parents are from Italy and that is my Mom’s speciality to make. When I have a cookie or cake order, she would be the one to make them with me or for me. :) I don’t have a blog but I’m at “Susan’s Decorated Sweets” on Facebook. :)
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks o much Susan! I’ll look you up on FB :)
Anonymous says
I made these tonight, and your cookies brought me back to my childhood! Thanks for posting this great recipe. Yummy in my tummy.
Anonymous says
Thank you
Jude says
Gotta love anise in baked goods, especially cookies. The bottom looks so perfectly browned. I’ve burned so many cookie bottoms it’s not even funny.
Cakelaw says
These look delicious and ever so cute.
Tami says
Just looking at the picture, I could smell the anise! OH YUM!! I love anise everything! They look delicious, Amanda! :)
RecipeGirl says
I’d have nixed the anise too! I think eggnog extract would be wonderful to make these little eggnog bites. I would love to make these and use holiday sprinkles on top!
culinarycory.com says
I agree with your kids. I’m not a fan of anise either.
Susan says
I made these 2 last week- yummo they are great. I had to freeze some for the holidays because the little mice in my house are eating them all!
Jodi says
I’m not sure if I like anise or not, but your version sounds yummy! :)
Pam says
Oh Amanda, these look so tasty and pretty. I love cookies like this.
The Blonde Duck says
They look so tasty! I love it!
Judy says
My hubby’s Italian aunt made these cookies all the time and would bring them to us when she visited. She gave me the recipe and it’s the same as yours. I haven’t made them in years, but this brought back memories. I like them with anise or vanilla; they’re good both ways.
Navita says
Ur welcome Amanda…its all about the reward..lol… really like this gift…microwave..thts wht I have here so the gift is just meant for me …lol..! :)
As for ur cooking blog…I really like it a lot. Infact have been there a couple of times n ur blog is on my roll… too.
Kaitlin says
these are really cute little cookies, i love them!
Amanda says
LOL! I was just going to post it here and then saw your second comment :) If anyone else would like to join, there’s a button on the right side bar that will take you there!
Mari says
These are so cute! I like anise so will have to try them.
Marie says
I love anise cookies. These look fantastic. Tell me what is the Alicia and Annie blogging event? I would love to join in. Can you e-mail me the details please? Thanks!
Bunny says
They turned out beautiful Amanda!! I love these cookies for the holidays they look so good with the sprinkles!
Happy cook says
WOwo thz cookies looks so beautiful. I am sure they are delicious too.