Nonna Lucia's Italian Christmas Cookies
Soft buttery anise-flavored Italian Cookies are dipped in a creamy glaze, topped with colorful sprinkles. They are perfect for holidays and special occasions!!
Servings: 24
Calories: 183kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup Unsalted butter 1 stick or 4 ounces
- 2 teaspoons Anise extract
- 3 ½ cups All-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
Glaze
- 2 cups Confectioner's Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Anise extract
- 3 Tablespoons Milk may need more depending on consistency.
Instructions
Cookies
- In a bowl sift together the flour and baking powder, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Mix in the anise. Add in the flour mixture.
- Knead until dough is firm and not sticky, adding more flour if necessary.
- Refrigerate 1 hour.
- Cut off small amount of dough and roll on floured surface into 6 inch strips.
- Twirl into shape and place on parchment lined cookie sheets.
- Bake at 375℉ for 8-10 minutes (the bottom should be lightly browned byt the tops should remain light.
- Remove cookies to wire rack and cool completely before glazing.
Glaze
- Combine the glaze ingredients in a bowl until just smooth. You want it more thick than thin, but still runny.
- Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, then return to the wire rack, allowing the glaze to drip down the sides of the cookies.
- Top with sprinkles while the glaze is still wet. Let dry.
Notes
- Be sure your butter is at room temperature, not melted. At a soft consistency It will be easy to mix.
- Don't overmix the dough. Once the ingredients are together, stop mixing. Over mixing will make make them tough.
- You do need to chill the dough. This helps all the flavors meld together as well as keeping the dough from spreading while baking.
- If the dough is too sticky for you to work with, use some cooking spray on your hands while you roll the dough balls.
- These cookies should be a light brown on the bottom and the top a light tan. You don't want to over bake the biscotti.
- Let the cookies cool before dipping in the glaze. If the cookies are still warm, they'll absorb some of the icing, which you want to remain on top for the Nonna Lucia's perfect Italian Christmas Cookie.
- Sprinkle the colored sugar on the cookies immediately after glazing them.
Nutrition
Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg