Italian Coconut Cookies

Merry Christmas morning to you! I’m so thankful for all my friends and family so this post goes out to my BFF and her kids. Not long ago I was lucky to have a little helper in the kitchen with me. Nyssa loves to cook with me when she comes over, and I can’t complain it’s nice to have an extra set of hands in the kitchen. These little cookies are super easy to make and you can get the kids involved in helping. They a little heavier then I thought they would be, but with the icing and the coconut it pulls them all together.

Italian Cookies

(Adapted from Taste of Home)

 

1/2 pound butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

6 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla or anise extract

4 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

 

ICING:

3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

5 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk

 

DECORATIONS:

Flaked coconut or assorted sprinkles

 

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

 

 

 

Beat in eggs and extract.

 

 

 

Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

 

 

 

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.

 

 

 

Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

 

 

 

For icing, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

 

 

 

Dip cookies in icing; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; decorate as desired. Let stand until set. Yield: 7 dozen.