Anise Cookies
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Total Time
32 mins
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Servings
42 servings
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Calories
79 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
Italian
Anise Cookies
Description
The Anise Cookies dough combines softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar to form a light and creamy base. Eggs, anise extract, and vanilla extract add moisture and distinctive flavor notes. The dry ingredients include all-purpose flour, baking powder for lift, and a small amount of salt. Together they create a dough that, when scooped and shaped, produces delicate cookies with a tender texture upon baking at 350°F.
These cookies bake quickly, with bottoms turning a subtle golden brown while the tops remain pale, preserving a soft bite. The optional icing consists of powdered sugar combined with milk, corn syrup, and extracts to enhance the anise flavor and add sweetness. Decorating with nonpareils adds a slight crunch and festive appearance.
These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week and freeze effectively for several months, making them convenient for advance preparation or gifting.
The use of anise extract distinguishes these cookies with a gentle licorice-like flavor combined with the comforting sweetness of butter and sugar. The icing and decoration provide a customizable finish to suit different preferences or occasions.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened, unsalted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg room temperature preferred, large
- 2 teaspoons anise extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Icing
- 1 cups powdered sugar
- 1 - 2 Tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons corn syrup optional
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon anise extract
- nonpareils for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line several baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar and cream together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, anise extract, and vanilla extract and use mixer on low-speed to stir well.
- In a separate, medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually (in 3-4 parts) add dry mixture into butter mixture, stirring until completely combined after each addition.
- Scoop dough into 1 Tablespoon-sized scoop, round dough by rolling gently between your palms, and place on baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2” (5cm) apart.
- Bake cookies in 350F (175C) oven for 8-9 minutes. The bottoms of the cookies should be very lightly browned but the tops should still be pale. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for several minutes before transferring to cooling rack to cool completely.
Icing
- To prepare the glaze/icing, whisk together sugar, milk, corn syrup, and extracts until smooth. Frosting should have a ribbon consistency, if it is too thick add more milk, a small bit at a time.
- Drizzle icing over completely cooled cookies. If desired, sprinkle with nonpareils before icing hardens. Allow frosting to set before enjoying.
Notes
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well, whether iced or plain, and can be kept in an airtight container for several months, allowing for long-term storage or gifting.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 42servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 79 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 79kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 18mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 49mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 15mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 85IU | 2% |
| Calcium | 32mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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