Calling all anise flavor lovers! These Anise Seed Sugar Cookies are a MUST for the holidays! They’re so festive and delicious.
We’re rounding out the week here at the BHK with one of my favorite Christmas cookies of all time folks.
These Anise Seed Sugar Cookies bring back special memories from my childhood.
If you’re a regular follower of the blog, you know I’ve mentioned that growing up, both my mother and grandmother were amazing cooks, right? Everything they made, whether something as basic as Gram’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes to Mom’s lobster thermidor, was delicious and something to remember.
But ya know what? Baking was not Gram and Mom’s thing. But one Christmas, totally out of the blue, Mom decided she was going to make my Great Aunt Ag’s, anise sugar cookies. I was probably 10 or 12, and honestly I can remember the day like it was yesterday.
I think it’s etched so vividly in my memory because it was something so out of character for my Mom to be baking in the kitchen. And cut-out cookies no less. You would have thought she would have tried an easy, drop cookie recipe, but nope, she went all in.
The smell of the anise seed and those cookies baking was heavenly! I distinctly remember enjoying more than my share. I couldn’t resist. Mom cut out all kinds of Christmasy shapes and sprinkled them with red and green sanding sugars. They were beautiful and baked up perfectly.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
If you’re a fan of anise, these cookies have got loads of anise flavor. I’ve added a whole tablespoon of crushed anise seeds. It’s just the right amount.
They’re so festive. A total standout for your holiday cookie tray this season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
- all-purpose flour
- anise seeds
- baking powder
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- vanilla extract
- large egg
- green sanding sugar, edible gold stars, confectioners’ sugar for decorating
Step-By-Step Instructions
The first step is to whisk together flour, anise seeds and baking powder in a large bowl. Use a spoon to measure flour into measuring cup and level with a knife so as not to over measure.
The second step is cream butter and sugar until fluffy. You’ll add the vanilla extract and egg and continue to beat until well blended.
The third step is to add the flour mixture to the butter mixture one cup at a time until incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Separate into three smaller portions. Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut using 3-inch round cookie cutter placing 1 inch apart on prepared tray. Use the 1 1/2-inch round cutter to cut centers from the cookies. Sprinkle with sugar and edible stars.
The last step is to transfer to prepared sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool on tray for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired.
Every year since, I make these Anise Seed Sugar Cookies and they take me right back to my childhood.
I know cut-out cookies require a bit more effort, but these are buttery, crispy, and that anise flavor is sooooo good. They’re totally worth it! I hope these become a special family favorite at your house too! Happy Holiday Baking!
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Anise Seed Sugar Cookies
I used my mortar and pestle to crush my anise seeds. If you don’t have one, use the bottom of a heavy frying pan to crush your seeds. If you crush the seeds you’ll have a more intense anise flavor to your cookies.
I used a 3-inch fluted cookie cutter for my wreaths with a 1 1/2-inch cookie cutter center.
I decided to cut them out into wreaths this season, sprinkle with some green sanding sugar, edible gold stars (my fave) and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar to make them look like snow covered wreaths.
More Delicious Holiday Cookies to Enjoy
Anise Seed Sugar Cookies
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp. anise seeds, slightly crushed
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- green sanding sugar, edible gold stars, confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, anise seeds and baking powder. Use a spoon to measure flour into measuring cup and level with a knife so as not to over measure.
- In the bowl of stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and egg and continue to beat until well blended.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture one cup at a time until incorporated.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Separate into three smaller portions. Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut using 3-inch round cookie cutter placing 1 inch apart on prepared tray. Use the 1 1/2-inch round cutter to cut centers from the cookies. Sprinkle with sugar and edible stars.
- Transfer to prepared sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool on tray for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired.
Don’t you just love recipes that bring back wonderful memories? These look delicious, Mary Ann and super festive! Definitely need to have these on my cookie tray – love the flavouring :) Pinned!
Yes! I remember the exact day my mother made them. I can still see her working so hard cutting out the shapes! They were delicious, and I’ve been a fan ever since!
Recipes the evoke precious memories are always the best! I’ve never had anise seed sugar cookies before, but they sound amazing! And, they are absolutely GORGEOUS, Mare! SO festive and just perfect for the holidays!!! These are definitely a must try!! Pinned! Cheers!!
You definitely NEED to try this recipe then! I bet you’d love them Chey! Thanks for pinning!
I would have no problem enjoying more than my share too! These look and sound amazing! Shared!
Ha! I never have a problem with that Annie!
I love the holidays!!! Keep ‘em coming!!
MWAH!
I think I’d eat a whole batch of these by myself. I love anise! I’m definitely adding these to my Christmas baking list!
You’d have a hard time stopping at one or two Kelsie! Take it from one who knows!
These are the prettiest, festive cookies, Mare and the fact that they have a family history, even better! I love the flavor of anise, but in butter sugar cookies, even better! I say all the cutting and decorating is time well spent. I just plan ahead, put on some music and enjoy the journey… that’s the joy of baking after all! xo
Thanks Traci! I totally adore the anise flavor! Thank the Lord I shared these with friends, or I honestly could have polished them all off! I was making these to my favorite Christmas music and enjoying every moment. Only wish my mom could have been with me. I’ll see her in sunny Florida at Christmas!
Your cookie baking skills are impressive, Mary Ann. Love that this is a family favorite and that it brings back such fond memories. Anise is a distinct flavor – and I love it. These are so cute and festive – you could hang them on the Christmas tree!
Thanks so much Geraldine! I’m pretty sure my name would not be on the list of incredible cookie decorators though! I opt for the easiest way to decorate, because I don’t have the patience, but with that said, I’m happy with the way these turned out! Hope you give them a try my friend!
Oh boy, another masterpiece. Printing this one, too !
Thanks so much! Hope you give them a try!
These cookies are so pretty MaryAnn, I would use them as ornaments , although I love anise and I don’t know how long they would last on my tree before I eat them.
Trust me on this one Gerlinde. They wouldn’t last long at all! Lol!
I am a huge fan of anise seed – and I can imagine the glorious smells perfuming your kitchen as these cookies baked! And – they are exquisite – in presentation as well as flavor!
The smell was heavenly Shashi! Thank you so much for your sweet compliments! Have a wonderful holiday!
These cookies are so beautiful and festive for the holidays..and that anise flavor is perfect for the holidays!
Thanks Kevin! These cookies hold special memories for me. And I just adore that anise flavoring.
That’s such a great flavour for a sugar cookie, and they are absolutely beautiful Mary Ann! These would stand out in any cookie box! Looking forward to Monday’s post!
Thanks Leanne! I had soooo much fun making these and my holiday cookie box. Tom helped me make the box, so it’s extra special!
These are so gorgeous! Pinned to make them soon. I adore anise flavor so I know these will be enjoyed. You are a very talented photographer :)
You’re so sweet to say that Tricia! Thank you so much. You made my night! Hope you enjoy these!
I’ve got wreath cookies next on my baking agenda Mary Ann, but I know they won’t be nearly as gorgeous as these, you’ve outdone yourself!!
I ususally choose the easiest way out when I decorate my cookies Sue! These may look pretty, but they weren’t hard at all! A little sprinkling and they’re done!
I love recipes that bring back fond memories. I also happen to love anise seed and I can almost smell these beautiful cookies. Your photo with the tray of them and a mug of hot chocolate has me wanting to cozy up by the fire!
I had so much fun making these Marissa! The smell of these baking in my kitchen always takes me right back to my childhood!
These are such beautiful and festive cookies!
So easy too Laura!
Oh my! So, so pretty and no doubt seriously delicious. Loving those edible gold stars :)
Thanks Jennifer!
I am so delighted with these cookies. The recipe and the way they are decorated. I am so inspired that I will be making a Valentine’s batch to send to friends and family (especially my boyfriend).
These are one of my favorite cookies on the blog Alexis! That anise flavor brings back such special childhood memories for me. They’re perfect for any time of year. Enjoy!
Once the Christmas tree is up, I started to look forward to the smell and taste of these cookies and the best part is I never know what shape they’re gonna be!
I know you love these as much as I do!
I would like to glaze them. My grandma made these for Xmas every year but she always frosted them. Do you think adding anise extract would be too much for a glaze?
Also, she would shape them into little knots which i adored, but I love the look of your wreaths. If I do a glaze and use a cutter I hope they won’t get messy. Yours are very chic.
Hi Marci. These cookies have a really nice anise flavor. Not sure if more in the glaze would be too much? Maybe you could use 1/2 Tbsp. of the crushed anise seeds in the cookie dough and then make a glaze with some anise extract. Enjoy!