Description
These Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, anise-flavored, and topped with a sweet glaze and rainbow sprinkles just like Nonna used to make. A festive classic perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring with coffee by the tree.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the cookies:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons anise extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
For the glaze:
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon anise extract
- 3 tablespoons milk (more as needed)
- Rainbow nonpareils or festive sprinkles
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Blend in the anise extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and firm—not sticky. Add flour a tablespoon at a time if needed.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Cut off small pieces of dough and roll into 6-inch ropes. Twist into spirals or rings.
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes. Bottoms should be lightly golden; tops should remain pale.
- Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.
- For the glaze, mix confectioner’s sugar, milk, and anise extract until smooth but thick.
- Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze. Let excess drip off and add sprinkles immediately.
- Let cookies sit on a rack until glaze is set.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months. Glaze after thawing. Substitute anise with vanilla or almond extract for a twist. Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk for a dairy-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
