Italian Anise Cookie Recipe

If you love cookies then you will certainly love this Italian Anise Cookie Recipe. This is a recipe that is super easy to make and tastes amazing with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk.

I made this recipe for my little ones and they really enjoyed having this as a dessert with a cold glass of milk.

This dessert gives you a taste of Italian heritage and is great to make whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out.

This Italian Anise Cookie Recipe is great to make in batches as you can make loads of little cookies.

It’s a great dessert to prep for a social gathering or maybe just for your family, it’s sweet but not too sweet.

Just to flag this isn’t the first cookie recipe I’ve shared on my blog, I whipped up the Penn Station Cookie Recipe which many people really enjoyed.

Why you should try this Italian Anise Cookie Recipe?

This Italian Anise Cookies recipe is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth and appreciates classic Italian flavors.

Whether you’re baking for friends or for your kids, these tasty cookies will for sure put a smile on everyone’s faces.

One thing I really love about this recipe is that it’s super versatile and you can easily change up the ingredients, for example instead of cow milk you can use almond milk.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon pure anise extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk

For the Icing and Decoration:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Sprinkles for decorating

How to Make Italian Anise Cookie Recipe?

Step 1:

Turn on the oven to 350°F (175°C) to make it warm, and add the baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2:

Mix the baking powder, salt, and flour in a big enough bowl.

Step 3:

In another big bowl, mix the soft butter and sugar together until they look fluffy.

Step 4:

Crack open the eggs one by one mix them in and add the anise extract.

Step 5:

Slowly mix the mixture from the first bowl with the butter mix, and add a little bit of milk at a time.

Step 6:

Use a spoon to drop small bits of dough onto the tray, making sure to leave some space between each one.

Step 7:

Bake the cookies in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just a little bit golden.

Step 8:

Once they’re done baking, let the cookies cool down on a wire rack so they’re not too hot to touch.

Step 9:

Mix powdered sugar and milk together until it’s smooth. Then, drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies and sprinkle on some colorful sprinkles for a special touch.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Wire rack

Tips

1. To get the best flavor make sure to get fresh anise seeds rather than older ones. Fresh seeds will have a stronger flavor, making your cookies taste even better!
2. If you find that your cookie dough is too sticky to handle, put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. Chilled dough is easier to work with and the cookies keep their shape much better during baking.
3. Try your best not to overmix the cookies as it will make the cookies tough, make sure to stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together.

What Pairs Well with Italian Anise Cookie Recipe?

This Italian Anise Cookie Recipe pairs well with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of Vino for the authentic Italian experience.

I personally have had these cookies with a big scoop of chocolate ice cream and it goes down as a treat.

If you feel guilty about having too many desserts and want to balance it out you can always have a Blueberry Banana Kiwi Smoothie with this recipe.

FAQ

Can I substitute anise extract with another flavor?

While anise extract is traditional in Italian Anise Cookies, you can always try other extracts such as vanilla or almond.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Of course, you can bake this cookie in advance and put it in an airtight container. Don’t forget to add your sprinkles and icing when you are ready to serve them.

Can I skip the icing and sprinkles?

You can skip the icing and sprinkles if you are not a fan of it being too sweet, or maybe you are missing the ingredients.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned how to make this classic Italian Anise Cookie Recipe, you can easily make it for your family or friends who fancy something sweet.

This recipe is easy to make, versatile, and tastes darn amazing.

If you enjoyed checking out this recipe make sure to share with your friends and family, and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more daily recipes.

Italian Anise Cookie Recipe

Recipe by JuliaCourse: DessertCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

24

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

120

kcal

Total time

30

minutes

Indulge in the flavors of Italy with this mouth-watering Italian Anise cookie recipe. Perfect for any occasion or just as a sweet treat for yourself!

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1/2 teaspoon pure anise extract

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons milk

• Sprinkles for decorating

Directions

• Turn on the oven to 350°F (175°C) to make it warm, and add the baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix the baking powder, salt, and flour in a big enough bowl.
• In another big bowl, mix the soft butter and sugar together until they look fluffy.
• Crack open the eggs one by one mix them in and add the anise extract.
• Slowly mix the mixture from the first bowl with the butter mix, and add a little bit of milk at a time.
• Use a spoon to drop small bits of dough onto the tray, making sure to leave some space between each one.
• Bake the cookies in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just a little bit golden.
• Once they're done baking, let the cookies cool down on a wire rack so they're not too hot to touch.
• Mix powdered sugar and milk together until it's smooth. Then, drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies and sprinkle on some colorful sprinkles for a special touch.

Notes

• To get the best flavor make sure to get fresh anise seeds rather than older ones. Fresh seeds will have a stronger flavor, making your cookies taste even better!
• If you find that your cookie dough is too sticky to handle, put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. Chilled dough is easier to work with and the cookies keep their shape much better during baking.
• Try your best not to overmix the cookies as it will make the cookies tough, make sure to stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together.