Since we’re in the festive period, you should try out this Italian Anise Christmas Cookies recipe with your friends and family. These cookies come out feeling soft and tender with a delightful anise flavor which a lot of people enjoy. These cookies make the perfect dessert for the season, and without taking too much time, let’s get right into the kitchen.
Italian Anise Christmas Cookies Recipe
This Italian Anise Christmas Cookies recipe is nearly perfect, the cookies are delicate, soft, and tender and they melt right in the mouth. Apart from the feeling, these cookies taste delicious and flavorful.
How to Prepare Italian Anise Christmas Cookies
Preparing the Italian Anise Christmas Cookies recipe is quite simple and straightforward, and in less than an hour, the tasty cookies are ready. Here’s what you’ll need and how you’ll make this recipe.
Ingredients for Preparing Italian Anise Christmas Cookies
Here are the ingredients you need to prepare Italian Anise Christmas Cookies.
For Cookies Dough
- 2½ cups of all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup of granulated sugar, white
- ½ cup of olive oil
- ¼ cup of whole milk
- 2½ teaspoons of baking powder
- 1½ teaspoon of anise extract
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 2 large eggs
- Christmas sprinkles, to garnish
For Glaze
- 1 cup of powdered sugar, or Confectioners’ sugar
- 6 teaspoons of whole milk
- ⅛ teaspoon of anise extract
Instructions for Preparing Italian Anise Christmas Cookies
Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the Italian Anise Christmas Cookies recipe at home.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 180°C), and line up your baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3: In another bowl, break in the eggs and use a hand mixer on high to beat the eggs until it is frothy.
Step 4: Now, add in the sugar, and continue mixing for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is thick and pale.
Step 5: Continue mixing, and gradually add in the olive oil.
Step 6: Reduce the mixer speed to low and whilst mixing, add in the milk, anise extract, and vanilla extract.
Step 7: Add the flour mixture to the bowl, and mix using a wooden spatula until no traces of flour can be seen. Make sure it’s not sticky, if it is, add a little bit more flour.
Step 8: Take teaspoonfuls of the dough, roll them into balls, and set them on the lined baking sheet.
Step 9: Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the tops are cracked and are slightly browned.
For the Glaze:
Step 1: Sieve the powdered sugar into a bowl, add in the milk and anise extract, then mix until smooth. Add the milk gradually till it reaches a thick and dripping consistency.
Step 2: Dip the top of the cookies in the glaze, and set them upright on a wire rack, then sprinkle Christmas sprinkles over it.
How to Store Italian Anise Christmas Cookies
If you’re fortunate enough to have some leftover cookies, here are the best ways to store them.
- Place unglazed cookies in an airtight container, and store them in a cool, dry place for up to a week. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Place unglazed cookies in a freezer-safe container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Italian Anise Christmas Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 180°C), and line up your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, break in the eggs and use a hand mixer on high to beat the eggs until it is frothy.
- Now, add in the sugar, and continue mixing for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is thick and pale.
- Continue mixing, and gradually add in the olive oil.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and whilst mixing, add in the milk, anise extract, and vanilla extract.
- Add the flour mixture to the bowl, and mix using a wooden spatula until no traces of flour can be seen. Make sure it's not sticky, if it is, add a little bit more flour.
- Take teaspoonfuls of the dough, roll them into balls, and set them on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the tops are cracked and are slightly browned.
- Sieve the powdered sugar into a bowl, add in the milk and anise extract, then mix until smooth. Add the milk gradually till it reaches a thick and dripping consistency.
- Dip the top of the cookies in the glaze, and set them upright on a wire rack, then sprinkle Christmas sprinkles over it.
Nutrition
These Italian Anise Christmas cookies have a soft and delicate texture, melting right in your mouth, and they taste flavorful and delicious. And they also look appealing making it a great choice for a cookie platter. When you try out this recipe, make sure to drop a comment below sharing how much you enjoyed it.
