Italian Anise Cookies | America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients

• 2 cups (10 ounces/283 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces/99 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
• 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening , cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/4 teaspoons anise extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice
• 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces/170 grams) confectioners' sugar
• Multicolored nonpareils (optional)