Italian Anisette “S” Cookies

Old recipe for Italian Anisette Cookies, or “S” cookies,  simply like my husband’s grandma used to make.  These have icing and sprinkles on them and might be a huge addition in your vacation cookie trays.

Ingredients 1½ sticks of unsalted butter 1¼ cups granulated sugar 6 big eggs, room temp ½ cup milk, room temp 5 cups unbleached all aim flour 6 beneficiant teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons anise extract (can use lemon or almond extract) Frosting: 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter ½ pound of confectioners’ sugar 6 tablespoons milk Instructions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a huge bowl sift collectively the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a huge blending bowl, cream collectively the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, blending well. Mix within the anise. Add within the milk and flour, alternating pieces of every till all combined. Turn dough onto a floured board and knead till dough is agency and never sticky, including extra flour if necessary. Break off a handful of dough at a time and roll into lengthy pencil, cut into 5 or 6 inch pieces. Shape into ‘S’ form on ungreased cookie sheet. These cookies will puff up. Bake approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove to cool on rack, then frost. Makes about 5 dozen depending on measurement of cookie. Frosting: In a huge bowl, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add in ½ pound of confectioners’ sugar. Stir in milk, stirring to include well, to a desired consistency for frosting the cookies. Brush on cookies or use a spoon, follow sprinkles proper away and return to rack to set. Let cool totally and shop in hermetic containers.

My husband’s grandmother, who was the sweetest woman ever, handed away a few years ago.  She was all the time identified for her cooking and baking and she actually was the greatest at it.  She was especially noted for her Italian cookies (like her Almond Macaroons) and her lasagna.

We might more often than no longer all the time have her lasagna on holidays earlier than the major meat course and we nonetheless hold on that culture to this day.  I am half Italian, but as of a few years ago I had via means of no means actually made any Italian cookies or lasagna as I via means of no means had an Italian grandmother in my life to train me till I met my husband.  I had perfected my sauce and meatballs, but that was as far simply due to the fact it went.

A couple of nights earlier than my husband’s grandmother died, she asked that I make her lasagna recipe for the household and convey it over to her apartment.  I panicked just a bit (a LOT) simply due to the fact these have been big footwear to fill and I tried to politely get out of it.

Long tale short, I ended up sucking it up making the lasagna simply to please her and she liked it.  I suppose it made her comfortable to recognize that her noted lasagna might reside on and hold to be loved via means of the family.

Last Christmas, I decided to make considered one of Grandma’s noted Italian cookies:  her Italian Ricotta Cookies  I was so pleased with myself simply due to the fact they did style simply like hers.  I love carrying on traditions!

This yr I decided to deal with her Italian Anisette Cookies, also identified as “S” cookies.  Sometimes she frosted them and commonly she left them plain, but I decided I easily needed to pass the frosting and sprinkles route.

I love to jazz up my cookies just a bit and make them as quite watching as possible.  We consume with our eyes, right?! The cookie dough itself isn't overly candy so the icing actually isn't overkill.  These became out perfect.  These have been moist, delicious and actual Italian cookies with a good anisette flavor.

These are tough center Italian, people.  This cookie will get it’s flavoring from the anise extract.  If you're no longer prevalent with anise – the closest factor to examine its style to is black licorice.  It’s no longer a tremendous solid black licorice flavor, but within the event you've got an aversion to it you may use almond, vanilla, or lemon extract…all types will style great.

I desire that these Italian Anisette Cookies introduced again huge childhood tales for my husband.  These might be a huge addition in your cookie trays this vacation and I might be making them every one yr from now on.  Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas with out this recipe or my Italian Lemon Drop Cookies!

Italian Anisette Cookies
Old recipe for Italian Anisette Cookies, or "S" cookies, like my husband's grandma used to make. These might be a huge addition in your vacation cookie tray.