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Figure 8 cookies being dipped into white icing in a glass bowl on a white marble cooktop. Nearby, iced cookies dry on wax paper or a wire rack, with colorful sprinkles scattered around.

Italian Anise Cookies

These soft, sweet Italian Anise Cookies are a holiday favorite, offering a unique flavor with a delicate icing. Perfect for gifting or enjoying with loved ones!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Equipment

  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire Rack
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Rolling Pin (optional)
  • Wax paper or wire rack for cooling

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • Icing:
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • ½ teaspoon anise extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Beat butter and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla, and anise extract.
    A glass mixing bowl on a white marble cooktop with softened butter and sugar being creamed using a wooden spoon. Surrounding the bowl are eggs and small bottles of vanilla and anise extract.
  • In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder, then mix into the butter mixture.
    A smaller glass bowl on a white marble cooktop, holding flour and baking powder being whisked together. A measuring spoon and a small pile of flour rest on the countertop nearby.
  • Roll dough into ping pong-sized balls and shape into figure 8s.
    Dough balls being rolled into ping-pong-sized portions on a white marble cooktop. Some dough balls are shaped into figure 8s, ready to be placed on an ungreased cookie sheet visible nearby.
  • Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until golden edges appear.
    Figure 8-shaped cookies baking in the oven with golden edges forming. The oven door is slightly ajar, revealing the white marble cooktop in the foreground.
  • Let cookies cool for 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack.
    Freshly baked cookies cooling on a wire rack over the white marble cooktop. A spatula and baking sheet are nearby, with light steam rising from the cookies.
  • Mix milk, confectioners' sugar, anise extract, and vanilla for icing.
    A small bowl on a white marble cooktop filled with icing made from milk, confectioners’ sugar, anise, and vanilla extract. A whisk and small bottles of extracts are placed next to the bowl.
  • Dip cooled cookies into icing and place on wax paper or a wire rack to dry.
    Figure 8 cookies being dipped into white icing in a glass bowl on a white marble cooktop. Nearby, iced cookies dry on wax paper or a wire rack, with colorful sprinkles scattered around.