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Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

December 13, 2018 36 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See my Affiliate Disclosure for more information.
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Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

These Anise Seed Sugar Cookies are a MUST for the holidays! They’re so festive and delicious!

Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

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.

Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

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.

Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

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.

Anise Seed 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.

Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

The smell of the anise seed and those cookies baking was heavenly!

I distinctly remember enjoying more than my share. I couldn’t resist.

Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

Mom cut out all kinds of Christmasy shapes and sprinkled them with red and green sanding sugars. They were beautiful and baked up perfectly.

Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

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!

 

A Few Cook’s Notes for Anise Seed Sugar Cookies Recipe:

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.

Anise Seed Sugar Cookies

They most deifinitely have secured a coveted spot in my 2018 Holiday Cookie Box, which will be coming at ya on Monday of next week guys, so stay tuned.

I hope these become a special family favorite at your house too! Happy Holiday Baking! Enjoy!

 

Anise Seed Wreath Sugar Cookies
Print
Anise Seed Sugar Cookies
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
42 mins
 

These Anise Seed Sugar Cookies are a MUST for the holidays! So easy and delicious!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas, cookies, holiday
Servings: 32 cookies
Calories: 118 kcal
Author: MaryAnn Dwyer
Ingredients
  • 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
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. 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.

  3. In the bowl of stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and egg and continue to beat until well blended.

  4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture one cup at a time until incorporated.
  5. 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.

  6. 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.

Nutrition Facts
Anise Seed Sugar Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 118 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 21mg7%
Sodium 3mg0%
Potassium 53mg2%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 185IU4%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 21mg2%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST BITE, SNAP A PHOTO & SHARE!

If you make this recipe, I'd love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag #thebeachhousekitchen

Thanks so much!

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Filed Under: Sweets Tagged With: anise seed, Christmas, cookies, holidays, sugar cookies

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My 2018 Holiday Cookie Box »

Comments

  1. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    December 13, 2018 at 8:30 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      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!

      Reply
  2. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    December 13, 2018 at 8:59 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      You definitely NEED to try this recipe then! I bet you’d love them Chey! Thanks for pinning!

      Reply
  3. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    December 13, 2018 at 9:21 am

    I would have no problem enjoying more than my share too! These look and sound amazing! Shared!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      Ha! I never have a problem with that Annie!

      Reply
  4. Tom dwyer says

    December 13, 2018 at 9:49 am

    I love the holidays!!! Keep ‘em coming!!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      MWAH!

      Reply
  5. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    December 13, 2018 at 9:57 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      You’d have a hard time stopping at one or two Kelsie! Take it from one who knows!

      Reply
  6. Traci | Vanilla And Bean says

    December 13, 2018 at 11:27 am

    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

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:59 pm

      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!

      Reply
  7. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    December 13, 2018 at 12:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 13, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      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!

      Reply
  8. 2pots2cook says

    December 14, 2018 at 1:25 am

    Oh boy, another masterpiece. Printing this one, too !

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 14, 2018 at 7:39 am

      Thanks so much! Hope you give them a try!

      Reply
  9. Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef says

    December 14, 2018 at 8:13 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 14, 2018 at 8:35 am

      Trust me on this one Gerlinde. They wouldn’t last long at all! Lol!

      Reply
  10. SHASHI AT SAVORYSPIN says

    December 14, 2018 at 11:29 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 14, 2018 at 1:51 pm

      The smell was heavenly Shashi! Thank you so much for your sweet compliments! Have a wonderful holiday!

      Reply
  11. Kevin says

    December 14, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    These cookies are so beautiful and festive for the holidays..and that anise flavor is perfect for the holidays!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 14, 2018 at 1:52 pm

      Thanks Kevin! These cookies hold special memories for me. And I just adore that anise flavoring.

      Reply
  12. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says

    December 14, 2018 at 1:45 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 14, 2018 at 1:53 pm

      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!

      Reply
  13. Tricia | Saving Room for Dessert says

    December 14, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    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 :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 14, 2018 at 5:12 pm

      You’re so sweet to say that Tricia! Thank you so much. You made my night! Hope you enjoy these!

      Reply
  14. sue | the view from great island says

    December 14, 2018 at 6:25 pm

    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!!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 15, 2018 at 9:54 am

      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!

      Reply
  15. Marissa says

    December 14, 2018 at 7:45 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 15, 2018 at 9:55 am

      I had so much fun making these Marissa! The smell of these baking in my kitchen always takes me right back to my childhood!

      Reply
  16. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

    December 15, 2018 at 1:40 am

    These are such beautiful and festive cookies!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 15, 2018 at 9:56 am

      So easy too Laura!

      Reply
  17. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    December 15, 2018 at 10:42 am

    Oh my! So, so pretty and no doubt seriously delicious. Loving those edible gold stars :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 15, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply
  18. Alexis Frater says

    January 20, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    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).

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      January 20, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      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!

      Reply

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