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grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies

(2 ratings)
HometownCreativeCook avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Nancy A.
@HometownCreativeCook
Wyckoff, NJ

Growing up in an Italian family, our kitchen was always filled with family, food, and fun. But during the holidays it was simply magical! The kitchen was filled with incredible aromas and every inch of space was filled with spectacular desserts. My favorite cookies were my grandmothers vanilla anisette which I would help her make every year. To this day, I make her cookies, carrying on the tradition and transforming my kitchen into that very special magical place I always loved as a child. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Italians cook with love and that's evident in these delicious Christmas cookies. The cookie itself has a stiff dough that's not overly sweet, but buttery and soft. The sweetness comes from the sugary glaze. Drizzled over the cookie, it's super sweet and has classic anisette flavor. The entire cookie is a beautiful balance of vanilla and anisette. These would be a delicious addition to your holiday cookie tray.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(2 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 35 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies

  • COOKIES
  • 1 c
    butter, softened
  • 1 c
    sugar
  • 6
    large eggs
  • 2 tsp
    pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp
    anisette
  • 6 c
    all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 2 Tbsp
    baking powder
  • FROSTING
  • 3 c
    powdered sugar
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp
    milk
  • 2 1/2 tsp
    pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2-3/4 tsp
    anisette
  • sprinkles

How To Make grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies

  • Butter and sugar creamed until fluffy.
    1
    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. To make the cookies, cream the butter and sugar in the large bowl of a stand mixer on high speed, until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  • Eggs, vanilla, and anisette added to the bowl.
    2
    Add in the eggs, vanilla and anisette. Mix together.
  • Dry ingredients added to the batter.
    3
    Reduce the speed to low. Slowly add in the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until incorporated.
  • Scooping out the dough.
    4
    Spoon the dough out into approximately 1 tablespoon pieces.
  • Rolling the dough into a ball.
    5
    Roll each piece into a ball.
  • Dough rolled into a log.
    6
    Then into a rope.
  • Dough shaped like a pretzel.
    7
    Shape into a pretzel form.
  • Formed cookies on a baking sheet.
    8
    Bake on ungreased large cookie sheets approximately 12-15 minutes, until golden in color. Cool.
  • Preparing the icing.
    9
    To make the frosting, combine all the ingredients together in a medium bowl with a handheld mixer on low or a wooden spoon. (You may add extra milk depending on your consistency preference.)
  • Drizzling icing over cooled cookies.
    10
    Spoon over the cooled cookies.
  • Adding sprinkles to the iced cookies.
    11
    Top with sprinkles.
  • A bite taken from a Vanilla Anisette Christmas Cookie.
    12
    Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies, depending on size preference.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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