15 Anise, Licorice & Fennel Traditional Holiday Cookies

Planning your holiday baking? Browse this festive collection for ideas to share, gift, or add to the dessert table. Each recipe name below opens the full recipe with its ingredients and instructions.

  1. Anise Sugar CookiesAnise Sugar CookiesAnise Sugar Cookies

    Tender anise cut-outs with a thin milk glaze and a delicate licorice aroma.

  2. Bussolai BuranelliBussolai BuranelliBussolai Buranelli

    Golden yolk-rich butter rings inspired by the traditional cookies of Burano, scented with lemon and vanilla.

  3. Pfeffernüsse German Spiced CookiesPfeffernüsse German Spiced CookiesPfeffernüsse German Spiced Cookies

    Pfeffernüsse German Spiced Cookies with measured ingredients, drop shaping and clear oven cues for a holiday cookie box.

  4. Spiced Espresso BiscottiSpiced Espresso BiscottiSpiced Espresso Biscotti

    Coffee-colored biscotti with cinnamon, cardamom and a restrained touch of clove.

  5. Orange Anise BiscottiOrange Anise BiscottiOrange Anise Biscotti

    Orange and anise-scented almond biscotti with a crisp twice-baked bite.

  6. Italian Pizzelle (Vanilla & Anise)Italian Pizzelle (Vanilla & Anise)Italian Pizzelle (Vanilla & Anise)

    Italian Pizzelle (Vanilla & Anise) with measured ingredients, pizzelle shaping and clear oven cues for a holiday cookie box.

  7. Orange Blossom Anise Shortbread RosettesOrange Blossom Anise Shortbread RosettesOrange Blossom Anise Shortbread Rosettes

    Anise seed and a measured hint of orange blossom water lend a floral, aromatic note to piped rosette cookies.

  8. Anise Chocolate Chip BiscottiAnise Chocolate Chip BiscottiAnise Chocolate Chip Biscotti

    An Italian-style crisp twice-baked cookie with lightly crushed anise seeds and small dark chocolate pockets.

  9. Ciambelline al VinoCiambelline al VinoCiambelline al Vino

    Small rustic Lazio-style wine and olive-oil rings with anise seeds and a crunchy granulated-sugar top.

  10. Lemon Anise Knot CookiesLemon Anise Knot CookiesLemon Anise Knot Cookies

    Lemon-zest and crushed-anise dough knots with a thin lemon glaze, an Italian-style home adaptation.

  11. CavallucciCavallucciCavallucci

    Pale, rustic Siena-style cookies with walnuts, candied citrus and anise, adapted for a gently chewy home-baked finish.

  12. Genovese Lagaccio BiscottiGenovese Lagaccio BiscottiGenovese Lagaccio Biscotti

    Yeast-raised Genovese-style sweet bread slices with fennel seeds, rested overnight and toasted until dry and golden.

  13. Cream-Cheese Cornmeal Shortbread with Jam CentersCream-Cheese Cornmeal Shortbread with Jam CentersCream-Cheese Cornmeal Shortbread with Jam Centers

    Eggless cream-cheese cornmeal shortbread thumbprints with compact red jam centers. Shortbread-inspired cream-cheese pastry, not a claim of traditional Scottish shortbread.

  14. Italian Anise CookiesItalian Anise CookiesItalian Anise Cookies

    Tender little cookies with anise extract and a thin sugar glaze.

  15. Sesame Anise BiscottiSesame Anise BiscottiSesame Anise Biscotti

    Small-seeded biscotti with toasted sesame and gently crushed anise dispersed through the dough.