Anise Snowball Cookies
These Easy Anise Cookies are tender, buttery snowball-style cookies with a delicate anise flavor. Perfect for the holidays or special gatherings, they’re melt-in-your-mouth delicious and simple to make!
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- electric mixer for creaming butter and sugar
- sifter for dry ingredients
- baking sheets lined with parchment paper
- wire rack for cooling cookies
- spoon or cookie scoop for portioning dough
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon anise extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and anise extract until light. Add both sugars and beat until fluffy.
- Beat in the egg until fully incorporated.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir until a crumbly dough forms. Use your hands if needed to bring it together.
- Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly golden. Check at 10 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Cool cookies on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat.
- Dust with extra powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Let cookies cool completely before rolling in powdered sugar for a clean coating. You can adjust the amount of anise extract to taste if you prefer a stronger or lighter flavor. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.