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grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies

★★★★★ 2 Reviews
HometownCreativeCook avatar
By Nancy A.
from 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, 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.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
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★★★★★ 2 Reviews
serves yields appoximately 4 dozen cookies
prep time 25 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies

  • 1 c
    butter, softened at room temperature
  • 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

How To Make grandma lu's vanilla anisette christmas cookies

  • Butter and sugar creamed until fluffy.
    1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl of stand mixer on high speed, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (about 3 minutes)
  • Eggs, vanilla, and anisette added to the bowl.
    2
    Next, add in eggs, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla and 1 teaspoon anisette. Mix together.
  • Dry ingredients added to the batter.
    3
    Reduce speed to low. Slowly add in flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until incorporated.
  • Scooping out the dough.
    4
    Spoon out approximately 1 tablespoon each of dough.
  • Rolling the dough into a ball.
    5
    Roll into a ball.
  • Dough rolled into a log.
    6
    Then into a rope.
  • Dough shaped like a pretzel.
    7
    Shape into pretzel form.
  • Formed cookies on a baking sheet.
    8
    Bake on ungreased large cookie sheets in preheated oven for approximately 12-15 minutes, until golden in color. Cool.
  • Preparing the icing.
    9
    To 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.)
  • Drizzling icing over cooled cookies.
    10
    Spoon over 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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