These traditional Italian cookies are served at many holidays and weddings in the old Italian neighborhood! They are very simple lightly sweetened cookies that are traditionally flavored with anise, almond, or lemon and then dipped in a sweet sugar glaze. Everyone will love them!
One of My Favorite Italian Cookies: Anginetti
Here’s a favorite, basic, Italian cookie – Anginetti (also referred to Ancinetti)! They go by a number of different names and in Italy they are made for weddings and holidays like Easter or Christmas. In the USA many people refer to them as Italian wedding cookies, Italian Christmas cookies, or Anise or anisette cookies (…but mine are almond flavored.) When they are formed into knots and flavored with lemon zest/extract, they are called lemon knot cookies.
These cookies are soooo good. They are soft, almost like a cross between a cake cookie and a traditional crispy cookie.
Growing up, it seemed that everyone’s mom or grandmother in the old neighborhood made a version of these cookies. Sometimes, when the baker would add too much flour, these cookies would taste quiet dry – but those were good for dunking in coffee!
Flavoring the Italian Cookies (Anginetti)
Traditionally, these cookies were flavored with lemon. But they are very commonly made with anise, almond, or even vanilla.
As a kid, I did not like anise-flavoring. My mom would make pizzelles the traditional way with anise as the flavoring and I’d always beg her to make them vanilla or lemon flavored instead. She eventually came around:)
But this is a very versatile recipe as far as flavorings go – feel free to substitute the almond or anise with vanilla, lemon, orange, or whatever flavoring appeals to you.
The traditional way to decorate these is to top them with a simple drizzle of sugar glaze and then add the rainbow non-pareils (or sprinkles), which are usually widely available at the grocery store.
Perfect Easter Favorite cookie “Anginetti knot cookies – Italian Anisette Cookies”.
FAQ
What does Anginetti mean in English?
What are anginetti cookies?
Add milk to make the desired consistency. The most common alternate name for Anginetti Cookies is Italian Wedding Cookies. This is, of course, because these simple soft cookies were a staple on the famous cookie displays at Italian weddings. Italian wedding cookies can include ANY of the flavor variations listed below.
What are anginetti Italian lemon cookies?
Anginetti means egg biscuit or egg cookie in Italian. Since we are adding lemon to the recipe, these are anginetti Italian lemon cookies. They go by other names as well such as Italian lemon cookies or lemon drop cookies.
What is Italian anginetti made of?
Anginetti is an Italian pastry made of dough that is shaped into a bow knot and then deep-fried until golden. It is usually covered in either a light sugar syrup or a confectioners’ sugar glaze, although some variations call for it to be dusted with powdered sugar instead. What are Italian wedding cookies made of?
How do you make anginetti cookies?
Anginetti are soft, slightly sweet cookies that are traditionally flavored with lemon, almond or anise. Pre heat oven to 350°. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside. In a large bowl add sugar, egg and vegetable oil and beat for 2 minutes.