For the cookies:
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon anise extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 3 eggs
For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
milk
colored sprinkles or non-pareils
To make the cookies, pre-heat oven to 350 F. Beat together butter and sugar until creamy. Stir in extracts, then stir in dry ingredients. Add one egg at a time until dough can be formed into a ball (you will need 1 to 3 eggs depending on the humidity in your kitchen and how large the eggs are). Form dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool 2 minutes on baking sheet, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
For the glaze, in a small saucepan slowly stir a small amount of milk into the powdered sugar until it creates a glaze thin enough to be spread over the cookies. Stir over low heat then spread over cooled cookies. Quickly top with sprinkles.
A cookie baker Dec 10, 2006
Would make this again.
YUMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!
A cookie baker Oct 15, 2006
Would make this again.
Excellent recipe
MICHELE in FL Sep 14, 2006
Would make this again.
I MAKE THESE ONCE A WEEK EVERYONE IS IN LOVE WITH THEM!!!
scott Loiacono in rochester new york Jun 20, 2005
Would make this again.
good cookie my nana use to make this every year for X-mas and it just melts in your mouth. Cooking time though should be about 10-12 minutes depending on where you live
daddy + daughter bakers in Central Ohio Jan 6, 2005
Would make this again.
The flavors here are full yet smooth. We subtituted 2 t of ground anise seed instead of extract. We also added 1/2 t vanilla to the glaze.
Even better was the texture. These cookes almost melt in your mouth instead of having to chew them. We've found a new Christmas family tradition. This recipe was the most satisfying we've made in a long time.
A cookie baker in ny Dec 20, 2004
Would make this again.
My grandmother made these cookies every year for Christmas. Since she got Alzheimers 12 years ago - no one had the recipe and it was in her head. I am very happy to find it here.
kathleen archbold in tacoma, wa Dec 10, 2004
Would make this again.
This is a lovely cookie with a nice cup of tea, with a terrific blend of flavors - and it's easy to make. It's also quite filling.
Dipping the frosted cookies into candy sprinkles made them very festive.
A bolder variation on the frosting: I used cream and confectioner's sugar, then added a few drops of anise extract and some whole anise seed.
A cookie baker in Kitchener Nov 20, 2004
Would make this again.
was an ok recipie would make it again with family it was fun--just don't burn the cookies-- LOL mary
