Dr. Leah Jerome is a history teacher and the girls soccer coach at Pascack Valley High School. Her favorite holiday recipe originates from her paternal grandmother, Fran Jerome. The recipe makes about 175 Italian knot cookies.

“Every Christmas Day, my family and I go to my grandparent’s house. For as far back as I

can remember, Christmas always meant grandma’s ‘knots,’” said Jerome. “This traditional anisette cookie reminds me of the warmth and joy of family on Christmas morning. A white cookie with decorative sprinkles is more than flour and sugar.”

Jerome explained that when she eats her grandmother’s cookies, she feels transported back in time.

“Whenever I eat a knot cookie, I am forever reminded of many Christmases ago when grandma would open up a beautiful container filled to the brim with sugar-glazed cookies,” said Jerome. “The recipe holds special meaning for my family, and it is one that I will carry on to the next generation of Jeromes as I bake knots for my family one day.”

Knot Cookies 

Ingredients for the cookies:

• 1 dozen eggs

  

• 1 pound of granulated sugar
• 2 sticks of butter
• 3 teaspoons of vanilla
• 6 teaspoons of baking powder
• 3 pounds of flour

Ingredients for icing:

• 1 pound of confectioners’ sugar
• 3 teaspoons of vanilla
• 3 teaspoons of anisette flavor
• 3 teaspoons of slightly warm water
• Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. First, mix eggs, granulated sugar, butter, and 3 teaspoons vanilla together in a large bowl. 
3. Mix baking powder and flour together, and then add flour to the egg mixture, a little at a time. Add more flour as needed.
4. After the dough is all mixed and easy to roll, take a small piece and roll it, then tie into a knot. 
5. Grease cookie sheets just once, and bake for a few minutes until lightly browned at the bottom. 
6. Combine confectioners’ sugar, 3 teaspoons vanilla, and anisette. Add warm water, a bit at a time, making the icing as thick as you like. 
7. Ice each cookie when cooled. Sprinkle on sprinkles if desired.