These classic Italian anise cookies are tender and covered in a glaze with sprinkles, with an easy dough that doesn't require chilling. Enjoy these cookies as part of a holiday cookie tray or year-round!
So much of what I love about the holiday season is tied to food (because, obviously) and family favorite recipes dominate my holiday menu each year. Can you relate to that? I try out a few new cookies or side dishes or whatnot each year, but by and large it wouldn't be Christmas, let's say, without struffoli and baked clam dip and Panettone french toast.
I already have my honey, clams, and Panettone ready to go.
Besides struffoli, one of the Italian recipes my mom has made every year since before I can even remember are Italian anise cookies. These tender, licorice-flavored cookies are topped with glaze and festive sprinkles to add a special touch to any holiday cookie tray. I know the licorice flavor can be polarizing like cilantro, but for those who don't mind or like it - these Italian anise cookies will be just your speed.
Jump to:
Recipe Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients needed to make anise cookies...except for the milk, which I forgot to add to the picture. Scroll down for the full detailed recipe.
- Butter: Leave this out to soften to room temperature so it efficiently combines with the sugar in the creaming step. This helps provide structure for the dough.
- Sugar: One-half cup joins with the icing sugar to ensure these anisette cookies are just sweet enough.
- Anise Extract: Two teaspoons in the cookies and one-quarter teaspoon in the icing result in a present but not overwhelming anise flavor.
- Flour: Be careful when measuring, and start with the lower amount listed in the recipe card before evaluating how your dough is handling. Too much flour is a reason why some anise cookies can become dry.
- Baking Powder: I highly recommended using aluminum-free baking powder, as some people can detect a hint of a metallic flavor in baked goods with a higher amount. One tablespoon is the correct measurement here! Look to avoid baking powder with "sodium aluminum sulfate/phosphate" on the label.
- Confectioners' Sugar: Sift after measuring for a smooth icing.
- Nonpareils: Rainbow nonpareils are classic, but a red/green/white mix for Christmas is always fun. Get creative for other holidays! I've seen a pastel spring blend that would be great for Easter (or another baked good with anise, Italian Easter bread).
And camera shy milk, which both adds moisture and softness to the cookie dough and forms the icing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar. Beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes, or until light and becoming fluffy.
- Mix in wet ingredients. Add eggs, then milk and the extracts and beat until combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Mix in dry ingredients. Whisk together three cups of flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then mix into the wet ingredients in two or three increments.
- Add flour, as needed. The dough will be very sticky, so add additional flour one tablespoon at a time until it's workable and able to be rolled without too much sticking (more on this below).
- Scoop and roll dough. Scoop 1 ½ tablespoons of dough and roll in a ball. Place a few inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops have risen and set and the bottoms are lightly golden-brown. Cracks in the surface are normal and get covered by the icing.
- Dip in icing and decorate. Once cooled, whisk the icing. Dunk each cookie into it and sprinkle with rainbow nonpareils or decorations of your choice. Let the icing set before storing or serving.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Freshest Flavor - Make sure your anise extract is reasonably fresh for the best flavor, especially if you don't bake with it all that often. From experience I've noticed an older bottle still within the "best by" date to have a muted, less impactful flavor.
- Additional Flour - Once three cups of flour have been mixed into the dough, poke the dough and see how it is. Likely it'll be pretty sticky, so work in additional flour one tablespoon at a time until the stickiness has been reduced. You'll want the dough to be able to roll between your hands with minimal sticking. The ball of dough should be relatively smooth without sticky "spikes". I add anywhere from no additional flour to an extra quarter-cup during this process, depending upon the conditions.
- Hand Kneading - Anise cookie dough is fairly thick. If using a hand mixer, it will likely be easier to hand knead in the additional tablespoon(s) of flour rather than contend with the beaters.
- Ice in Batches - Dunk then decorate several cookies (around 3-4) at a time to prevent the icing from hardening before you get a chance to add the nonpareils.
- Freezing Anise Cookies - You can freeze iced and sprinkled anise cookies, though you will see a small amount of nonpareil color bleeding. Not enough to be off-putting or an issue, in my opinion. Remove cookies from the freezer the day you'd like to serve them and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anise cookies can be dry if they're overbaked and/or if too much flour is added to the dough. If you don't have a kitchen scale, measure flour using the spoon-and-level method. First stir/whisk the flour in its canister to fluff it up. Then spoon it into the measuring cup, taking care not to pack it down. Once the measuring cup is overflowing, use a knife or the straight edge of the spoon to level off the top.
These Italian anise cookies can be made several days ahead of time. If doing so, I suggest baking the cookies and then NOT icing them until the day you would like to serve them. Reason being is that the next day and the days beyond, the colors of the rainbow nonpareils bleed onto the white icing and don't look quite as picture perfect as they day they were iced and decorated. Of course if you don't really care about that feel free to ice 'em up right away, or you can omit the sprinkles or use white nonpareils instead.
Ground anise seeds, gently crushed whole anise seeds, or anise oil can likely be substituted for the anise extract, though they won't be a straight 1:1 substitution. Anise oil is more concentrated than extract so you'll need a fair amount less. Anise liqueurs (like Sambuca or Anisette) are trickier as you will likely need to add quite a bit more liquid to the recipe in order to achieve the bold flavor of an extract. I don't recommend using those here.
Anise Cookies for Christmas
Anise cookies are a family favorite for Christmastime! I'll switch out the rainbow nonpareils for a Christmas blend of red, green, and white for an extra festive twist. Beyond a sprinkle switch-up, there are a few things to keep in mind when baking them ahead of time and mailing cookies to loved ones.
- Cookie Trays - Store anise cookies in containers separate from other cookies as the rainbow nonpareils can bleed onto other cookies as the days go by. Arrange them in a holiday cookie tray when ready to serve.
- Mailing - Anise cookies aren't a great cookie to mail because the nonpareils can bleed onto the icing. It's a better bet to mail un-iced anise cookies if you'd like them to be picture perfect upon arrival, or consider omit the nonpareils or using white ones.
More Italian Cookie Recipes
Several types of Italian cookies look nearly identical to anise cookies, specifically anginetti cookies and ricotta cookies. Another variety that has that classic icing and nonpareils topping is cucidati, which have a fabulous spiced fig filling. Delicious! If you're all out of nonpareils, check out these other Italian (/Italian American) favorites.
If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating in the recipe card and/or a comment review below!
Italian Anise Cookies
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk (I used 2%, use your preferred)
- 2 teaspoons anise extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, potentially up to 3 ¼ cups (see instructions)
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free recommended)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Icing:
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon anise extract
- Nonpareils for decoration
Instructions
For the Cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs and beat well using a hand or stand mixer, until the mixture is light and looks frothy.
- Add milk, anise extract, and vanilla extract and mix in until combined.
- Add 3 cups of flour (measured using the spoon-and-level method), baking powder, and salt to a separate bowl and whisk until evenly combined.
- In 2-3 increments, add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients, mixing in until just combined.
- The dough will be very sticky. *If needed* add in additional flour one tablespoon at a time, until you can roll a cookie's worth of dough between your palms without too much sticking. Wetting your palms may help reduce the sticking as you form a ball. You may need up to an additional ¼ cup (4 Tablespoons) during this time, but likely less. The amount of flour you need may vary.
- Using a 1 ½-Tablespoon capacity cookie scoop, scoop dough and roll between your palms to form balls. Some of the dough will stick inside the scoop but that's okay. Place dough balls equally-spaced on the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between one another.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies are very lightly brown on the bottom. Cracks in the surface are normal and expected. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
For the Icing:
- Once cookies have cooled completely, whisk together 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 3 Tablespoons milk, and ¼ teaspoon anise extract. Working in batches, dip the tops of each anise cookie into the glaze, and then sprinkle nonpareils over top. Let glaze harden completely before storing or serving.
Notes
- Anise Flavoring: Ground anise seed, lightly crushed anise seed, and anise oil are all likely to be fine substitutes for the anise extract. Anise oil is more concentrated than extract so you'll need to use less. Anise-flavored liqueurs are not recommended as they're less concentrated in flavor and you would need to add too much liquid to the dough to achieve the same flavor.
- Icing: It should be fairly thick. If it's running off the cookies or looking translucent add additional confectioners' sugar to the icing until it reaches the right consistency.
- Storage Instructions: Store anise cookies in an air-tight container at room temperature with parchment paper between layers. It's normal for the rainbow nonpareil coloring to bleed onto the icing as time goes by. Storing cookies in the refrigerator slows down color bleeding, but can make the cookies themselves a bit drier.
- Make Ahead: Bake anise cookies and store or freeze them without icing. Thaw them fully before icing later on.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition DisclaimerNote: The photos in this post were updated in December 2023 from the initial publish date in 2017. Additional step-by-step photos were added, as well as extra recipe detail. If you're coming back to this post from a bookmarked link, you may recognize one of the original photos below.
Kathy says
Why after a few days do mine get so dry?
Alyssa says
Hi Kathy, how are you storing them? Once completely cooled and the glaze hardened, I keep them in an air-tight container or sealable plastic bag with parchment paper between the layers to prevent the glaze from becoming messed up. I haven't experienced any drying that way. I hope that is helpful!
Linda says
Can you put anise cookies back in oven if they are under cooked aftet they cooled
Alyssa says
Hi Linda, yup! If they haven't been glazed yet they can go back in until cooked through.
Jano says
These were so easy & delicious! They impressed my Italian friend whose mother always made these. It was a hard act to follow but they were perfect!
Alyssa says
Now that's a compliment! So glad you liked them, Jano. 🙂
Nicole says
I just made a big batch of these but I did not have anise so I used vanilla extract thinking that would work but when I bit into a cookie it had a bitter taste. Is it because I didn’t use the anise extract? I’m so mad because they came out so pretty and baked well ☹️
Alyssa says
Hi Nicole, I'm sorry you had some trouble with these. Anise extract has a bold presence, so using vanilla for all of the extract could have thrown off the balance of flavors. I've never made them without the anise but that would be my guess. Could you improvise with the glaze? It's sweet, but perhaps add an extract or another flavor to it to counteract the bitterness? There's always a melted chocolate dip or drizzle - a method I use to bump up flavor/sweetness on a baked good. I hope that is helpful!
Susan says
Mine left an extremely bitter taste on the on the tongue. I believe it's because the recipe calls for one tbsp (tablespoon, although it's usually written Tbsp) of baking powder. It should read one tsp (teaspoon). I've never put one tablespoon of baking powder in anything so I double checked the recipe and then followed the directions. I too had to throw them all away.
Alyssa says
Hi Susan, I hate that you had to throw away these cookies, but the recipe is correct as written. Anise cookies traditionally have a higher amount of baking powder in them than other cookie recipes. Are you using an aluminum-free baking powder? I know those who are sensitive to a tinny/metallic taste in baked goods swear by using it. Sorry these weren't to your liking!
Ron Foley says
Perfect recipe! The only thing I add is 15oz of ricotta cheese. 🙂
Alyssa says
Yum! Glad you like it, Ron!
Sarah says
I’ve gotten so many compliments about these cookies! They’re a hit. My hubs said they’re better than the store bought ones!
Thank you!
Alyssa says
Awesome! Glad they're a hit, Sarah! 🙂
Jori says
I watched my mother and aunts make anise cookies for years. I then made them for years. I was never happy with them so this year I looked for a new recipe. This recipe is hands down, no contest the best. I could not believe how good they were. **********
Alyssa says
Woohoo! Love hearing that. So glad you like them, Jori!
Susan G says
I use oj n tastes great
Alyssa says
Love that orange flavor!
Pam says
Can these cookies be made in a cookie bar format or bunt cake form
Alyssa says
Hi Pam, I haven't made them any way other than rolling them into balls so I'm not sure. I'd be afraid the consistency of the cookie part would be off.
Teena says
I am making sugar cookies and I want to put Anise in them. I also want to add Anise to the royal icing. My cookie recipe does not call for Anise. I am comparing the ingredients in each recipe, trying to figure out how much Anise I should add . I’m wondering if anyone out there has done this before? I am adding a very small amount to the royal icing so that the Anise doesn’t overpower the flavor of my cookies.
Alyssa says
Hi Teena, I haven't added anise extract to sugar cookies before so I'm not sure exact measurements. With these cookies I find the anise flavor to be just right, with the amounts in both the cookie dough and the icing. Could you maybe work out a ratio with the amounts of flour between this recipe and your sugar cookie recipe? So if this one has 2 teaspoons of anise extract for 3 1/4 cups of flour, you can adjust the anise for however much flour your sugar cookie recipe has. That should give a pretty good rough estimate. Same for the powdered sugar in the icing. I hope that's helpful!
Shelly says
Can almond milk be used?
Alyssa says
That should work just fine!
Susita says
Can't wait to try these--my italian grandmother used to make these. They were a Christmas staple in her house. I love them!!
Alyssa says
Hope you enjoy, Susita! Gotta love family traditions. 🙂
Susita says
I just made these cookies today. They are AMAZING! The best recipe and also the most like my grandmothers I have ever had. I ate half the batch by myself and will be baking more later this week. I thank you. My waistline, however, doesn’t thank you.
Alyssa says
I'm so happy to hear that! I'm planning to bake them a few times this season because I know they'll go quickly once they're done. 🙂
Deanna says
I love making these for cookie trays! Plus we have this tradition in Pittsburgh called cookie table for weddings. These would be perfect on a cookie table!
Alyssa says
You know, I have never heard of a cookie table! What a fun (and delicious) wedding tradition. 🙂
Sandra says
went to a wedding and she had each couple bring one batch of homemade cookies with the recipe and a note from them. She put them on a table and as the guests were leaving, they could fill up a Chinese to go box with cookies. Everyone loved the idea!!!
Patti says
Someone actually added a link to your cookies to our FB group: The Wedding Cookie Table Community. It’s a great group with all things cookie talk and recipes! Check it out!
Brandi says
These cookies look almost too good to eat. I need to make these soon!
Amy Nash says
These are such cute little cookies with the sprinkles! I actually just tried Italian anise cookies this past Christmas and fell in love! It's such a unique, distinctive flavor! Thanks for sharing your recipe so I can make these at home!
Kathy says
A very delicious and easy version of this cookie. I made them for Christmas. Thank you.
Alyssa says
Glad you liked them, Kathy! Merry Christmas. 🙂
Shanna says
These sound delicious. I have anise seed that I sometimes grind to a powder using my mortar and pestle, but I've never seen anise extract. Where do you find it?
Alyssa says
Hi Shanna, I've found anise extract alongside the vanilla and almond extracts in the baking aisle. Earlier this month I went looking for it in a smaller specialty grocery chain but they didn't carry it, so I'm thinking larger chains (or online) would be the way to go. I've never worked with ground anise seed before, but I would imagine you could use that instead of the extract for the dough (and maybe the icing if it's powdery enough?). I'm just not sure what the extract-to-powder substitution ratio would be. Please let me know if you give them a try! 🙂
Steph says
Anise flavorings are found In the flavorings/spices section of your local grocery. The bottles are under “McCormick” brand next to Peppermint, Cherry, Vanilla, etc.