Description
Delightful Italian Anise Cookies bring classic Mediterranean sweetness to your holiday table, dancing with delicate licorice notes and powdered sugar charm. Crisp yet tender, these traditional treats connect generations through simple ingredients and cherished family memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 0.75 cup sugar
- 0.5 cup (1 stick) softened butter
- 0.25 cup milk
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon nonpareils
- 1 teaspoon anise extract
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon anise extract (or 0.5 teaspoon for milder flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 325°F, ensuring an ideal baking environment.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, transform butter and sugar into a velvety, harmonious blend through vigorous creaming.
- Infuse the mixture with aromatic anise extract, then gently incorporate eggs and milk until the composition becomes uniformly smooth.
- Gradually introduce flour, baking powder, and salt, delicately folding until a tender, pliable dough emerges.
- Equip baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking, then artfully craft dough into petite orbs, positioning them with purposeful spacing.
- Nestle the cookie-laden sheets into the preheated oven, allowing them to bake for 10-15 minutes until the surface appears matte and a probing toothpick reveals a clean interior.
- After removing from the oven, permit cookies to rest and cool, allowing their texture to stabilize.
- Craft a luxurious glaze by whisking powdered sugar, anise extract, and milk until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Once cookies have reached room temperature, elegantly immerse their tops into the glaze, executing a gentle twist for even coverage.
- Embellish with a delicate sprinkle of decorative toppings, then allow the glaze to set completely before presenting these delectable treats.
Notes
- Switch out anise extract for almond or vanilla if you’re not a fan of licorice-like flavors.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create a more uniform cookie texture.
- Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same soft, delicate crumb.
- Reduce sugar content by 25% if you prefer less sweetness, keeping the cookie’s delightful tender structure intact.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg