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Italian Anise Cookies!! These cookies NEED to be on your holiday cookie tray! Not a fan of anise? Use your favorite extract for a new flavor!

Italian Anise Cookies stacked on plate with red and green sprinkles.

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Italian Anise Cookies

You guys! These cookies are so soft and delicious! They’ve been a staple in our family since I first made them about 20 years ago. Of course, you’ll want to share these amazing little treats! They make great neighbor gifts … or would be great on a cookie tray with other cookies or candies.

Italian Anise Cookies stacked on plate close up.

Anise, in case you don’t know, tastes like black licorice. From what I understand, some people really love the flavor – and others, not so much. I don’t think there’s any middle ground on that flavor. Personally, I love these cookies – they’re a real treat for Christmas. We even make them for Easter sometimes!

Italian Anise Cookies stacked up on plate with bowl of red and green sprinkles in background.

I love all of the tasty treats this time of year! Cookies and yummy desserts seem to be flooding the blogging world! I really love to share traditional Christmas Cookies and I especially love ones that maybe aren’t shared often by others. It’s a good thing most of that is in virtual life – looking and drooling is calorie-free! ? These Italian Anise Cookies are super easy and so soft! I love how puffy they are!

Italian Anise Cookies close up.

If you’re not really a fan of black licorice, feel free to substitute your favorite extract flavor in place of the anise extract! ? Be sure to use a regular teaspoon to measure out the cookies. You will want a slightly heaping scoop. For smooth cookies, be sure to roll the dough into balls. When you dip these cookies into the glaze, you’ll want to add the nonpareils right after – this glaze is thick and hardens up fairly quickly.

Italian Anise Cookies stacked up on plate close up.

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Italian Anise Cookies collage.
Italian Anise Cookies!! These cookies NEED to be on your holiday cookie tray! Not a fan of anise? Use your favorite extract for a new flavor!
4.46 from 499 votes
Servings: 80 cookies

Italian Anise Cookies

By Jamie Sherman
Italian Anise Cookies!! These cookies NEED to be on your holiday cookie tray! Not a fan of anise? Use your favorite extract for a new flavor!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

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We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Ingredients 

For the cookie dough

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup butter, melted, 1 stick
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 – 5 teaspoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract

Additional ingredients

  • Nonpareils

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Beat the sugar, butter, eggs, milk and anise extract in a large bowl with a mixer until well blended. On low speed, beat in the flour, baking powder and salt until well blended.
  • Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are a light golden brown. Remove cookies to a wire rack to cool.
  • Prepare the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar, milk and anise extract in a small bowl until smooth.
  • Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze, and while the glaze is still wet, sprinkle on the nonpareils. Let set until glaze hardens.

Notes

  • If you’re not really a fan of black licorice, feel free to substitute your favorite extract flavor in place of the anise extract!

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Trans Fat: 0.05g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 32mg, Potassium: 8mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 44IU, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Originally published on December 19, 2013. Updated on April 25, 2021.

Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

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4.46 from 499 votes (499 ratings without comment)

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48 Comments

  1. Lisa Preece says:

    Hi, these sound delicious, I was curious as to what other flavors I could use other than anise and was excited to see some people posting they have tried lemon and milk/orange extract, I was wondering about banana extract as a lot of our little ones love banana. I like the idea of trying all and see what everyone thinks after trying them.. It will be fun to see what everyone prefers. 🙂 I love choc chip, I know very classic but all go nuts for them. I also love peanut butter and hershey kisses on top of them. I’m excited to try your recipe.

  2. Maria pero says:

    Good recipe but did not make 80 cookies make about 30 please update the quantity