ITALIAN WEDDING COOKIES

italian wedding cookies (almond or anise flavored)

Makes 30 cookies (recipe can be doubled)

Servings 30 cookies

Author Marie@FeelingFoodish

Ingredients

For the cookie dough:

• 2 1/4 cups flour (all purpose)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened (DO NOT MELT THE BUTTER) (8 tablespoons)
• 1.5 teaspoons almond extract (or anise [licorice flavor])

To make the frosting:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (or anise extract)

To decorate

• 4 tbsp non-pareils or sprinkles

Instructions

To make the cookie dough

1. Mix the baking powder, salt, and flour in a small bowl and set aside
2. Using a electric mixer, combine the eggs, sugar, butter, and extract on medium speed for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy
3. Add the flour/baking powder and combine slowly just until mixed.
4. Using a tablespoon, roll the dough into balls and place onto a parchment lined baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
5. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour
6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F, and then bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

To Frost

1. Mix the ingredients for the frosting, adding the milk one tablespoon at a time
2. I prefer to use a teaspoon and pour a bit of frosting over the cooled cookies but some like to dunk their cookies in the frosting to frost
3. Make sure that the cookies are completely cooled before frosting otherwise, the frosting will just drip off 
4. Add sprinkles/non-pareils while the frosting is still wet or they won't stick. I usually frost a few at a time and then decorate so the frosting doesn't dry before I have a chance to decorate