Anise Cookies

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These Italian Anise Cookies are a perfect bite-sized Christmas cookie. They are firm on the outside, soft, and tender flavored with anise insides and topped with a sweet icing glaze. Just like grandmas recipe.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: Anise Cookies

Servings: cookies

Author: Jen Lunsford

Ingredients

1/2 cup Butter
1/4 cup Shortening
3/4 cup Sugar
4 Eggs
4 1/4 cup Flour
5 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Anise Extract
2 cup Powdered Sugar sifted
3 tbsp Milk
Colored Jimmies

Instructions

Line cookie sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In another large bowl, melt shortening and butter.
Add the sugar and beat until blended.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended.
Add anise extract and beat again.
Gradually add dry ingredients, beating until incorporated.
Roll dough in small balls (about 1") and place on prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until bottom edges are lightly brown.
Move to wire rack to cool.
Remove cookies to wire rack and cool completely before glazing.
Put powdered sugar in a medium bowl and gradually add milk while stirring to form thick glaze.
Dip top of each cooled cookie in glaze and sprinkle with a few jimmies and return to rack to dry.

Notes

When scooping and rolling the dough, make your cookie dough balls very small. About half of a tablespoon is perfect.
Do not over-mix the cookie dough. After adding the flour, only mix until combined.
Do not OVER-BAKE! Anise Cookies stay pale in color and just the slightest of golden brown on the bottoms.
Allow cookies to completely cool before dipping in icing.
When topping cookies with glaze and sprinkled, move quickly. Your bowl of icing likes to set very fast. Add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up every 5-8 cookies.

Nutrition