My favorite Italian Cookies are Italian Anise Cookies. Every year during the Holidays my family and I make these tasty cake like cookies. A lot of people don't like the Anise flavor but to me it's one of my favorites in baking. With a few simple ingredients they are on your table, and ready for when your guests arrive. I usually use 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tsp. Anise extract, 3 eggs, 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, and 1 tbsp. baking powder and 2tbsp. milk. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350* Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze icing.