grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies
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, carry on the traditional and, transform 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.
Ingredients For grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies
-
1 cbutter, softened at room temperature
-
1 csugar
-
6large eggs
-
2 tsppure vanilla extract
-
1 tspanisette
-
6 call-purpose flour
-
1 tspsalt
-
2 Tbspbaking powder
- FROSTING:
-
3 cpowdered sugar
-
3 1/2 Tbspmilk
-
2 1/2 tsppure vanilla extract
-
1/2-3/4 tspanisette
How To Make grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies
-
1Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl of stand mixer on high speed, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (about 3 minutes)
-
2Next, add in eggs, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla and 1 teaspoon anisette. Mix together.
-
3Reduce speed to low. Slowly add in flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until incorporated.
-
4Spoon out approximately 1 tablespoon each of dough.
-
5Roll into a ball.
-
6Then into a rope.
-
7Shape into pretzel form.
-
8Bake on ungreased large cookie sheets in preheated oven for approximately 12-15 minutes, until golden in color. Cool.
-
9To make the frosting: Combine 3 cups powdered sugar, milk, 2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla and 1/2-3/4 anisette together in a medium bowl with a handheld mixer on low or wooden spoon. (May add extra milk depending on consistency preference.)
-
10Spoon over cooled cookies.
-
11Top with sprinkles.
-
12Makes 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!