Italian Cookies with Anise

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Every family reunion since I can remember my great Aunt Nin brings anise-flavored Italian cookies that everybody loves. I figured out her exact recipe by trial and error but don't tell her! Sprinkle with nonpareils or sprinkles when icing is still wet, but hurry, they dry fast!

Submitted by AliciaVR6
Updated on December 4, 2022
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
36
Yield:
36 cookies
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 36 servings

Dough:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon anise extract

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

Icing:

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar

  • ½ teaspoon anise extract

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  2. Beat butter and sugar for dough together in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and anise extract and blend. Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl; stir into butter mixture until blended.

  3. Take a ping pong-sized ball of dough and roll between your hands to form a rope. Connect the ends and twist into a figure 8 shape. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.

  4. Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 10 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

  5. Mix milk into confectioners' sugar for icing, stirring slowly. Add the anise extract and vanilla extract.

  6. Dip cooled cookies into the icing face-down and lay on wax paper or a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

106 Calories
3g Fat
18g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Calories 106
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 27mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 2g 3%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 19mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.