Italian Anise Cookies Recipe (2024)

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A recipe for soft and chewy Italian Anise Cookies (a.k.a. Italian Christmas Cookies) that have the classic licorice flavor everyone loves. Plus, a printable recipe card perfect for your holiday cookie exchange!

From spending time together in the kitchen to all the yummy cookies I got to enjoy, baking all of the best Christmas cookies with my mother has always been one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

One of my favorite holiday cookies is her soft and chewy Italian anise cookies, which I want to share with you today.

For another incredible Italian cookie recipe try our Almond Amaretti Cookies.

Italian Anise Cookies Recipe (1)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Also known as Italian Christmas cookies, Italian anise cookies have a unique licorice flavor and are topped with a sweet glaze and sprinkles.

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These are one of my favorite cookies to bring to holiday cookie exchanges as well since everyone always loves them.

Speaking of cookie exchanges, lookout for the printable cookie exchange recipe card at the bottom of this post!

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Table of Contents

How to Make Italian Anise Cookies

Making these Italian Anise cookies is really simple — no kneading or chilling dough required.

However, you will need an electric mixer.I used my stand mixer, but you could use a hand mixer instead. Either will do the trick.

Start by creaming your Country Crock Baking Sticks or butter together with your sugar until light and fluffy.

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Then, mix in the eggs, milk, and anise flavoring. Followed by the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing well until combined.

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Once the dough is well mixed, scoop the dough out 1 heaping teaspoon at a time and roll lightly in your hands to form a ball. Place on prepared cookie sheets at least 1 inch apart.

Bake cookies for 8-12 minutes, until the bottoms are a light golden brown.

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Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to allow to cool fully.

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To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, anise extract, and 3 tbsp. milk in a medium bowl. If the glaze is too thick, add milk 1 tsp. at a time until desired consistency is achieved. Pour the glaze into a shallow bowl. Dip the top of each cookie in the glaze, return the cookie to the wire rack, and sprinkle with nonpareils.

TIP: I recommend sprinkling each cookie as soon as it is dipped because I have found that the sprinkles won’t stick if I try to dip a few cookies in a row then add sprinkles.

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Now simply allow the glaze to set fully before serving or packaging up for your cookie exchange.

Printable Cookie Exchange Recipe Card

Aside from getting to enjoy a variety of different holiday cookies, another thing I love about holiday cookies exchanges is being able to learn new Christmas cookie recipes.

That is why I recommended including your recipe with your cookies.

Trust me, all the guests at the cookie exchange will appreciate you including those recipes.

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To make it easier for you, I have designed a printable holiday-themed recipe card that you can give out at your cookie exchange.

I even filled in the recipe card with my Italian anise cookie recipe so all you have to do is print them out and add your name!

Click here to download recipe card with Italian Anise Cookie Recipe.

Recipe cards print out 4 per page.

I recommend printing these recipe cards out on cardstock so they hold up better, but regular printer paper will work just as well if you are in a pinch!

If you would like to use this holiday printable Christmas recipe card for your own cookie recipe, I have included a blank version of the card as well.

Click here to download blank recipe card.

I hope that you and your loved ones enjoy these delicious Italian anise cookies!

Recipe

Italian Anise Cookies Recipe (10)

Recipe

4.78 from 22 votes

Italian Anise Cookies

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 20 minutes mins

These traditional Italian Anise Cookies (aka Italian Christmas Cookies) are soft, almost cake-like, and have the classic liquorice flavor everyone loves.

Ingredients

For the cookies:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter or 1 Country Crock Unsalted Baking Stick
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract
  • 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Glaze:

  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 teaspoon anise extract
  • 3-4 Tablespoons milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

  • Using an electric mixer, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add eggs, milk, and anise extract, beating until combined. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.

  • Use hands to lightly roll rounded teaspoons of dough and place 1 in. apart on prepared baking sheets.

  • Bake 8-12 minutes, or until the bottom of cookies are a light golden brown. Allow cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to wire rack to fully cool.

  • To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, anise extract, and 3 tbsp. milk together. If too thick, add milk 1 tsp. at a time until desired consistency is achieved.

  • Pour glaze into a shallow bowl. Dip top of each cookie in the glaze, return to the wire rack, and sprinkle with nonpareils. Allow glaze to set before serving.

Notes

If you are finding your dough too sticky when you are trying to roll it in your hands, add additional flour as needed, 1 Tbsp at a time.

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Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

Italian Anise Cookies Recipe (12)
Italian Anise Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which of the following is a very popular cookie from Italy? ›

Biscotti: Perhaps one of the most famous Italian cookies, biscotti are crispy, twice-baked treats that are perfect for dipping in coffee or wine. Traditionally flavored with almonds and fragrant anise, these long-lasting cookies are a staple in every Italian household.

Are anise cookies good for you? ›

Healthy Anise Cookie

A great company for a cup of thee or coffee. Anise is good for digestion and by using olive oil instead of butter there are no saturated fats.

Why did my Spritz cookies go flat? ›

Mistake 1: The butter is too soft

If this happens, the butter will melt faster in the oven and your cookies will flatten before they can set. Thirty minutes is usually enough counter time to soften butter.

What is the difference between anise and anisette? ›

Anise is always the main ingredient, and the liqueur also must meet minimum sugar (350 g/L), alcohol (38% abv) and anethole (anise aroma) content requirements. By comparison, anisette (sometimes seen as anisetta), is also an anise distillate, but it can be made with other ingredients in addition to anise.

Why do my Italian cookies crack? ›

You will notice that the cookies crack slightly while baking. This is normal and as long as you don't overbake them, the cracks will settle and get smaller as they cool. The reason they crack is that the outsides set before they have finished rising, but this is also what helps give this cookie its great texture.

What is the most popular Italian cookie in the United States? ›

Biscotti Amaretti is the most famous Italian cookie of all. Made without flour or any added fat this almond macaroon is light, crunchy and intensely almond.

What is the number one cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What is the oldest known cookie in the world? ›

In 8th century Abruzzo, Italy, the pizzelle was created and heralded for its subtle sweetness and satisfying crispy texture. These golden waffle cookies are so important to the people of south-central Abruzzo that two neighboring towns still argue about which town originated the pizzelle.

Who should not eat star anise? ›

Children: It is possibly unsafe for star anise to be taken by mouth in children. Serious side effects, including vomiting and seizures, have been reported in infants and adults given star anise tea. Star anise teas may be contaminated with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which is poisonous.

Which is better star anise or anise? ›

The major culinary difference between anise and star anise is that anise seed is potent, with an almost spicy flavor, while star anise is subtly milder. They can be used interchangeably in recipes, but amounts must be adjusted to accommodate the mildness of the Asian ingredient.

Can you eat too much anise? ›

At typical amounts in food, anise is generally considered safe. However, with excessive amounts, possible symptoms of toxicity with anise may include: Abnormal hormone levels—with potential effects on sperm count or fertility. Breathing problems from an allergic reaction or too much fluid in the lungs.

Should you use parchment paper when baking spritz cookies? ›

*Also don't grease the sheets or use parchment paper. Spritz cookies release easily when made right! *Don't let your dough sit out so long that it gets dry or so warm that the butter begins to separate.

Does old baking soda make cookies flat? ›

Yes, baking powder and baking soda can expire! Once they've been opened, it's best to use them within six months, so make sure to check expiration dates before you start baking. Expired leavening agents lose their effectiveness, leading to flat cookies.

What does cornstarch do in cookies? ›

“The result is added tenderness with more structure.” You don't need much of the ingredient to notice significant changes in your favorite recipe. Add a teaspoon or two to your dry ingredient mix and it will drastically change the texture. It's also fun to experiment until you get the exact finish you desire.

What is anisette made from? ›

Dried anise seeds are the base flavoring agent and source material for anisette. And in the outskirts of Ascoli — about 20 kilometers from the sea — is the Silvio Meletti Distillery, which since 1870 has been making clear anisette.

What is anise flavor in baking? ›

Anise seeds lend a licorice flavor to baked goods and more. This spice is widely used in Middle Eastern, Italian, German, Indian, and Mexican cooking.

What is the flavor of anise? ›

Anise has a very strong licorice taste, thus why it is often a divisive flavor among those who are not accustomed to it. Some people also find it offers a subtle sweetness.

References

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