Anise Sugar Cookies

Name: Anise Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 9 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 2 large eggs; 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon anise extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons aniseed; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; Frosting and coarse sugar, optional

As much as I love giving away my baking, a few goodies—like these anise Christmas cookies—are keepers. The light flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture make them one of my favorite anise recipes. —P Marchesi, Rocky Point, Long Island, New York

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons aniseed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Frosting and coarse sugar, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extract. Combine the flour, aniseed, salt, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Shape into 1-in. balls; place on greased baking sheets. Flatten with a glass dipped in sugar.
Bake at 375° for 6-7 minutes or until set. Cool on wire racks. If desired, frost cookies and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Originally published as Anise Sugar Cookies in Country Woman Christmas 1998

Reviews

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Sylvia

Jan 8, 2017

Loved this recipe! We used cookie cutters and rolled out the dough. I wasn't sure if it would work at first but I had no problem at all and they came out perfect!!
Susan

Dec 28, 2016

Sorry, but this recipe must not "halve" well. I love anise and couldn't wait to try these. What a disappointment. Since it's only my husband and me I made half a recipe. Sticky and impossible to roll into balls, salty tasting, and baked flat and greasy. I am NOT a novice baker as I have been baking for over 50 years. What is wrong with this recipe?
sheila7m

Feb 8, 2015

Great recipe with just the right amount of anise flavor.
cxps

Jan 19, 2014

It's a great cookie and easy to make
marilyn1960

Dec 3, 2012

Has anyone tried this recipe without frosting but used color sugars or other decorations? I try to not use any frosting on my cookies because I have to make a lot and storing is harder. Thanks.
karen1941

Nov 14, 2012

After looking for months to find the exact anise sugar cookie that my grandmother made when I was little, I FOUND IT!!! Truly delicious and so easy to make. I am making them for my Cookie Exchange party in December. Hope everyone loves them as I do!
jockcrush

Mar 1, 2012

I am a cookie monster, I substituted one cup sugar substitute for the sugar, added one small bag of fresh frozen cranberries folded in from the freezer at the last in place of pecans,and added 1/3 cup Dark karo SURYP into the butter mixture. EVERYTHING ELSE I FOLLOWED TO THE LETTER, baking 7 mins, resting, 7 mins, then baking another 7 missThe purpose is to allow the old familliar Christmas popping sounds of the Cranberries, SIMULAR to bring inside tightly closed pine cones as they open indoors to spread their seeds. WONDERFULLY EXCITING FOR THE KIDS.
cosmolady

Jan 17, 2012

I love the Anise flavor and am never sure how much to put in the cookie recipe. I solved it by putting the Anise in the frosting and I can adjust to my taste...
spiker1

Dec 13, 2011

Wonderful cookies for Christmas!
Kridavisrn

Nov 25, 2011

Great and easy recipe! The anise adds in an excellent flavor. I am definitely making these again!