Anise Cookies

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 10 min./batch
Yield 3 dozen cookies
Test Kitchen Approved
Flavored with licorice and topped with sweet icing, Italian anise cookies are a must-have holiday cookie to complete any Christmas cookie platter.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons anise extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • FROSTING:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise extract, optional
  • 3 tablespoons sprinkles

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until pale in color, 4-5 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time until fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add extracts; mix to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, beating on medium-low speed until just combined. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 1-in apart. Bake 8-10 minutes or until just set (not browned). Remove to wire rack; cool completely.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, milk and anise extract, if using. Dip the top of each cookie into the frosting; line on wire racks. Top with sprinkles; let frosting dry.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 127 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

A friend gave me this delicious anise cookie recipe. It looks so pretty on a Christmas cookie tray. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC