Befanini – Italian Sugar Cookies

Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. In large bowl, break up dough; stir in anise seed and orange peel until well mixed. Reshape into log; refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

Cut cookie dough into 16 (1/2-inch) slices. Place slices 2 inches apart on cookie sheets, reshaping dough as necessary. In small bowl, stir egg yolk and whipping cream until blended; brush egg yolk mixture on dough. (DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER BRUSHING WITH EGG YOLK MIXTURE.)

Bake about 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Immediately sprinkle tops of cookies with sprinkles. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely; store in airtight container.