Italian Anisette Biscotti Cookies

Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Italian Anisette Biscotti Cookies are a staple cookie all year long.

This was grandma's recipe, she always had a plate of cookies with black coffee whenever company dropped by.

A real Authentic Italian anisette cookie.

One that is a real tradition around Christmas holidays in her memory for sure.

Grandma was 94 when she passed away and there are so many recipes she made we all loved like this one.

This old-fashioned almost hard Italian cookie was our favorite dunking cookie.

I always make a double batch to have on hand when unexpected company drops by and this is just one of 25 cookies we make around the holidays.

That is the perfect combination of flavors when serving these cookies with a strong cup of black coffee and a shot of Sambuca (an anisette liqueur) like she did and mom.

Using a shot of Sambuca was Dad's favorite way to enjoy these cookies.

The memories are great and always etched in my mind year after year, oh how I miss those days.

The 1960s were great times to be alive.

Scroll down and lets get baking and help keep Grandma's memory alive in the kitchen!



toasted anisette cookies twice baked




An italian cookie trays filled with Christmas cookies and right up front are anisette cookies.


Dipped or Plain



I really love these cookies because the basic dough is so versatile.


The cookies can be adapted to whatever flavor you want to add to this dough.


These are the Traditional authentic ways to make biscotti with anisette flavoring.


Grandma and mom never made them any other way.


these are an anisette biscotti that are dipped in dark chocolate on the bottom of the cookies in a Christmas box


Authentic Anisette Biscotti



The cookies can be soft or hard, the authentic way is to bake them twice hard, but if you like them soft don't rebake them.


We like them sliced thick but there is no right or wrong, slice them thin or thick, it's really a preference.


The cookies is very versatile as you can add just about anything to the batter and still have a perfect cookie.


The cookie is very popular on Italian wedding trays and super easy to make plus they freeze well and can be made ahead of time.




Additions and Suggestions( in 2/3 of cup increments to the batter)

  • chocolate chips
  • pistachios or other nuts chopped if you prefer
  • dried fruits chopped
  • chopped maraschino cherries
  • coconut
  • other flavored chocolate chips, white, mint, butterscotch, peanut butter
  • substitute anisette for lemon, almond, orange, and maple extracts
  • Dip each end into melted chocolate and nuts
  • add orange or lemon zest to the batter




Slicing the Cookies



I use a serrated knife to cut the cooled cookies at an angle.


You can use any kind of knife that cuts them clean without crumbling the cookies.


I find that sawing them works better for me but you will have to experiment with your knives on how sharp they are.


Cool them for at least 5 minutes before slicing and returning to the oven to toast.


these are a traditional italian anisette biscotti and how to make them. The instructions are step by step on how to make the perfect biscotti cookie.


The Batter



The batter is very thick, it shouldn't be sticky.


If you have a real sticky dough add more flour until it forms a ball.,


Also, pat the loaves in a nice loaf shape with a floured hand before baking so they will be a uniform size when slicing.


these are a traditional italian anisette biscotti and how to make them. The instructions are step by step on how to make the perfect biscotti cookie.


Tips


  • make smaller loaves for mini cookies
  • Wait a few minutes before slicing warm cookies
  • Use a serrated knife for cutting keeping the cookies slightly warm
  • Baked these on parchment paper for easy removal
  • Watch carefully when browning and I do turn them over once
  • Do not store with other cookies the anisette is very strong and will affect the others
  • These freeze very well for up to 6 months


these are Italian biscotti cooling and then sliced with a serrated edged knife to be toasted on a cookie sheet with parchment paper


Ingredients You Will Need to Make Anisette Biscotti

scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements


  • eggs
  • oil
  • sugar
  • pure anise extract or more if you love it
  • flour
  • salt
  • baking powder


these are a traditional italian anisette biscotti and how to make them. The instructions are step by step on how to make the perfect biscotti cookie.


Pin Anisette Biscotti for Later




espresso filled cups of coffee and anisette liqueur


Try These Other Favorite Italian Cookies


Italian Wedding Tray Frosted Soft Cookies
Italian Almond Paste Cafe Style Cookies
Italian Orange Juice Cookies
Ricotta Cookies



Hard Cookies or Soft



Although authentic biscotti are twice-baked you don't have to do that step if you like soft cookies.


These cookies are fairly hard and perfect for dunking in hot coffee.


That's how we ate them in our home.


If you don't like dunking cookies, just be aware they are very hard after being toasted.


These authentic vintage anisette biscotti are a true delight to eat and serve all year long. Enjoy!



Italian Anisette Biscotti Cookies

Italian Anisette Biscotti Cookies

Yield: 30
Author:
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 25 Mtotal time: 35 M
These are vintage recipe that my Italian Grandmother from Rome Italy taught us to make called Italian anisette biscotti, The cookies are fragrant with an anisette aroma and taste. Great with Italian espresso.

ingredients:

  • 6 eggs ( 1 more egg beaten for later to brush on top)
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure anise extract or more if you love it
  • 4 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teas salt
  • 6 teaspoons of baking powder

instructions:

How to cook Italian Anisette Biscotti Cookies

  1. Mix all in a bowl to form a stiff dough. 
  2. On a greased cookie sheet form two large loaves or smaller-sized loaves in the shapes of a torpedo or bread loaves.
  3. Brush with one beaten egg ( if you love anisette flavor add another teaspoon to the egg wash). 
  4. Bake at 350 until brown on the bottoms and set on top of the cookie in the middle, around 25 minutes or more.
  5. Take out of oven cool, for 5 minutes.
  6.  Slice cookies on a slant using a sawing motion and a serrated knife. 
  7.  Place sliced cookies back on the cookie sheet and bake again until toasted and browned on both sides in a 350-degree hot oven for around 12 minutes.
  8. Optional: add 6 green and 6 red chopped cherries in the batter in the last step folded in for a  Christmas and a festive cookie.
  9. Dipped bottoms:
  10. At Christmas time, we like to dip the bottoms or the ends in melted chocolate. Just melt chocolate chips in the microwave for a minute at a time till smooth. Dip the ends in chocolate or the whole bottom of the cookie. You can also add sprinkles, and colored sugars for a festive look.
Calories
112
Fat (grams)
15
Sat. Fat (grams)
6
Carbs (grams)
11
Net carbs
6
Sugar (grams)
22
anisette biscotti, italian cookies, anisette cookies, Italian anisette cookies
Italian cookies, Biscotti, Italian dessert, cookies
Italian
Created using The Recipes Generator



Pin Anisette Biscotti for Later




these are a traditional italian anisette biscotti and how to make them. The instructions are step by step on how to make the perfect biscotti cookie.





Try Some of My Other Favorite Holiday Traditions:




Easter Recipes

Game Day Recipes

Best Holiday Side Dishes

Red White and Blue Recipes

Halloween Roundup

Thanksgiving Recipes

Christmas Recipes






An italian cookie trays filled with Christmas cookies and right up front are anisette cookies.




Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2019.

39 comments

  1. oh yeah! I make these, usually in the fall, my recipe is from florence and uses ground almonds. my mom makes tge anisette cookies. mmmmm

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  2. well if you ever want to share the recipe I'm in! Would love to try yours....

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  3. OH! I love anise cookies--remember the stella dorra commercials--"not just for breakfast"

    Thanks for sharing this!

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  4. I love biscotti. I make a pumpkin version and a chocolate version.

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  5. I would love to dunk one of these into my coffee...

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  6. I must say that they look perfect!.. Delcious. Luna

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  7. Just love anything with anise. Fab!

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  8. Many memories come flooding back.y mother and aunts always had anisette biscotti. Usually Stella D'Oro! But I won't quibble. These look scrumptious.

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  9. these looks really delicious
    like the ones with chocolate

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  10. These are one of my favorite things to make - and eat - was planning on making some this weekend! I love, love, love the anise ones!

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  11. Recently(over the holidays) I have discovered the wonders of biscotti. They are absolutely wonderful and easy to make!! I want to try some of these as I've only had one kind (chocolate) and need to learn some new versions :D

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  12. I have an Italian friend who makes a number of Anisette cookies around Christmas...I've been meaning to try them...and now you offer these delicious looking biscotti! Another for my pile of recipes to try :)

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  13. I absolutely love the taste of anisette. When I was younger I couldn't stand it - hated licorice as well. I'm not sure what happened between the age of 10 and 30 (trying to make you all think I'm 30...) but my taste buds FINALLY saw the light. LOVE anisette.
    Those biscotti are wonderful.

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  14. Oh so delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe for biscotti! I have a few of them, but they're all a bit questionable... I need to try it out your way.

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  15. Fresh biscotti! Hell yeah! And a cup of good coffee!

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  16. Mmmm..I would love this dipped in coffee. I think I would have so much fun dipping..haha. My friend just gave me a packet yesterday. I would love to try making this one day. Hope you have a great day, Claudia!

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  17. I can never get enough biscotti recipes! I try each and every one! Especially when I hear they are passed down favorites as this one.

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  18. Love biscotti! Those look scrumptious!

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  19. Claudia...I love biscotti. I just don't always have good luck with them. They come out more like doorstops than cookies! But these look fabulous! I just might have to try again with this recipe! : )

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  20. Big biscotti fan Claudia! I made them on several occasions. Mine didn't seem to be the right texture. Just a bit too hard and not enough air pockets if you know what I mean. Yours have them. Could it be the recipe I used? Do you have any suggestions?

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  21. I love biscotti and really enjoy making it. I'm going to try these. :)

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  22. ohhh I haven't had biscotti in forever, these look delicious

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  23. These look so fun and festive for the holidays! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to try them.

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  24. Claudia, these are perfect! It's so nice that you have your grandma's recipe for them. My dad can't find his grandma's recipe for knot cookies and I am dying for him to finally find it. Love your biscotti! :)

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  25. These Italian cookie recipe would be perfect with coffee or tea! Looks delish!

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  26. What a cute recipe for the holidays. This is a really good idea. The holidays are approaching and I would like to cook your unique recipe.

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  27. I love biscotti and these look perfect, Claudia! I wish I had one right now with my coffee <3

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  28. These would make great gifts! I'm anxious to make these! This is awesome! Yup this looks pretty darn perfect to me. Thank you!

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  29. I love biscotti, but struggle to make it ... and have it turn out right. I must have the oven too hot or leave them in too long ... because they always taste scorched. Thanks for sharing your tips.

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  30. I love to hear the traditional stories behind family recipes. I am so happy that this one brings your fond memories!

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  31. I shoud try these cookies! Italian cookies are always a hit in our house and we all love anisette flavor!

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  32. Biscotti is the perfect holiday gift. Who doesn't love to give and get something homemade? Going to add these to my holiday cookie list!

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  33. I love biscotti and the flavors that goes into this recipe. I must say these look perfect and with holiday season, baking these biscotti will be fun

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  34. Biscotti is hands down my favorite treat with a good strong coffee. I love the anise extract in this!

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  35. We LOVE biscotti of any kind, and this is such a fantastic "base" recipe, like you say that we can add flavouring to so it becomes our own <3 lovely!

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  36. I love anisette and grew up with mom using it often. Since I got married I hardly ever use it because my husband hates it. I must try this for me and the kids.

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  37. Biscotti are the greatest and they travel so well. Every Christmas we make about 12 varieties and then we wrap and send them to our special friends. Our oldest son's favorite flavor is anise. We always make sure we have that flavor for him. Biscotti are really easy to make once you get the feel of it. And they are terrific dunking cookies.

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  38. Grandma's recipes are the best! They are the ones we need to cherish the most! Great recipe for Christmas!

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia