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Italian Anise Cookies

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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.
Click HERE to pin this recipe!
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

Yield: about 80 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

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!

Ingredients

For the cookie dough

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the glaze

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

Additional ingredients

  • Nonpareils

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
  4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are a light golden brown. Remove cookies to a wire rack to cool.
  5. Prepare the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar, milk and anise extract in a small bowl until smooth.
  6. 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 Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 42Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 21mgFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Did you try this recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and tag @lovebakesgoodcakes on Instagram with the hashtag #lovebakesgoodcakes so I can see what you made!

© Jamie Sherman

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

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca Hubbell

    Thanks for hosting the fun party! Italian cookies are some of my favorite. We have a family recipe… that I'm not allowed to share… boo! They are so good! I love that you added anise, I just might have to try that sometime!

    Reply

  9. foody schmoody

    I made something similar the other day, with two differences, mine are lemon and yours ARE MUCH PRETTIER! 🙂 You are right anise is something people either love or hate, I used to be a lover until I had a bad Sambuca experience in my twenties and still to this day, I can't even smell that kind of odor! Great job on the cookies!

    Reply

  12. Joanne DiPalo

    Good morning Jamie, I love your Italian Anise Cookies recipe. My sister-in-law makes them every year and I enjoy them with a cup of tea. I'm pinning and sharing, thanks for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday Christmas Party this week.

    Joanne/Winelady Cooks

    Reply

  29. [email protected]

    Hi Jamie, this cookie is very similar to one we make.. I grew up in an Italian household and had fun baking with my mom and grandmother…. I love how simple they are and love the anise flavor! Thanks for linking these up to MM… pinning. Merry Christmas, Deb

    Reply

  30. Catherine

    Dear Jamie, I love Anise, but like you say it's an acquired taste. These cookies sound perfect and right up my alley. Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Blessings, Catherine

    Reply

  36. celiem

    Just made these cookies yesterday with 3 granddaughters. Two chose almond flavoring and one chose lemon. All were good. My Italian mother made hers with anise, but, since most of us weren't fond of that flavoring, she would use anise seeds and lemon extract. Those were good!!!

    Reply

  38. Mary C

    These cookies are the best Little Italian cookie!!! I have made them several times over the past couple of years and everyone loves them and can’t get enough. I have to bake several batches each time. Thanks Jamie!

    Reply

    • Jamie

      I have never tried this recipe with unsweetened almond milk, but it should be fine. If you try it with that substitution, I would love to hear back on how it turned out for you!

      Reply

  40. Katherine A Dietz

    These are the best cookies but I have a question can you use orange juice or coffee in place of the milk?
    Please let me know soon as I need to bake these today.
    Thanks
    Katherine

    Reply

    • Jamie

      Sorry, I am just seeing this question. I have never made them any other way than listed in the recipe. If you tried this with orange juice or coffee, I would love to hear your thoughts in case anyone has the same questions.

      Reply

      • Katherine A Dietz

        I made them using milk and orange extract for half and the other half with orange juice and orange extract the cookies using the milk had a better flavor and texture than those with the juice. I will let you know when I try coffee. But these are still the best cookies anywhere on the internet!
        Thanks
        Katherine

        Reply

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Love Bakes Good Cakes delivers delicious and simple family-friendly meals. Find everything from healthier recipes to over the top desserts!