Anginetti, a classic Italian cookie, is a staple around the holiday season.
Growing up in an Italian environment, I can remember everyone coming over with their versions of these glazed Italian cookies.
Most versions of my favorite childhood cookie contained anisette. But every now and then I was lucky enough to score a lemon variety.
So in keeping with my favorites, I'm sharing my favorite version with you, the Italian Lemon Drop Cookie.
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You may have heard of Italian Wedding Cookies and these are similar, yet different. Traditionally, the wedding cookies are covered in a powdered sugar topping and contain almond extract.
I prefer this lemon glazed version over the almond version or the anisette version.
Some of my other favorite holiday treats are M&M Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars , Christmas Tree Cupcakes and Christmas Pinwheel Cookies.
I enjoy sharing recipes from my childhood with my in-laws around the holiday. We pass around this family giving plate and it travels from home to home.
Do you have any traditions like this?
Related: Italian Cheesy Chicken
Printable Recipe Card
Italian Lemon Drop Cookies (Anginetti)
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup shortening
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon extract
- 2 cup flour all purpose
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Glaze
- 3 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- colored sprinkles or decorative sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a large bowl, beat the shortening and sugar together until creamy. Add the eggs and lemon extract and beat well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add flour mixture to sugar mixture. Stir together well with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until a sticky dough forms.
- Drop dough by spoonful (I use a small ice cream scoop) onto an ungreased non stick cooking sheet. Bake 12 minutes or until firm and just starting to brown on bottom.
- Remove from oven and cool cookies on a wire rack until completely cool.
Make the icing: whisk together sugar, water and lemon extract.
- Dip cooled cookies into icing and sprinkle with decorative sugar/sprinkles.
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