Italian Christmas Cookies

Soft and sweet Italian Christmas Cookies flavored with anise and topped with creamy icing and Christmas sprinkles.

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas desserts, cookies, dessert, holiday desserts

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 12

Inactive time: 40

Total Time: 1 7

Servings: cookies

Calories: 110kcal

Author: Alicia Countryman

Equipment

1 Large Cookie Sheet Half size
Parchment paper
1 Large mixing bowl
Electric mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment
1 Medium size cookie scoop 1-½ tablespoon size
1 Small mixing bowl

Ingredients

½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
½ teaspoon anise extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
⅔ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and anise extract until well combined.
Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Scoop out 1-½ tablespoons of cookie dough, roll them into balls, and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Whisk together the powdered sugar and heavy cream in a small bowl until smooth. Once the cookies are cool, dip the tops in the icing, then set them on a wire rack until the icing hardens. For a festive touch, sprinkle colored sugar or nonpareils on top of the icing before it sets.
Serve at room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

• If you’re not a fan of anise, you can substitute it with almond or vanilla extract for a different but equally delicious flavor.

• For a festive look, divide the icing into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring (red, green, or gold) to each. This adds a bright holiday touch, especially for cookie platters.

• For mini versions, roll smaller balls of dough (about ½ inch) and reduce the baking time to 6-8 minutes. These tiny cookies are great for parties or as part of a dessert spread.

• Package a few cookies in small cellophane bags tied with holiday ribbon, or place them in small mason jars with festive labels. This makes a lovely holiday gift for friends, teachers, or neighbors.

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