Delicate Christmas shortbread-style cookies flavoured with anise and a hint of orange. Delicious – as my husband says, and since I’m not the biggest fan of anise, I’ll take his word for it ;). That said, the aroma of anise among festive bakes truly enhances the Christmas atmosphere, so perhaps these will find their way under your tree? Or maybe you’ll bake them for a friend who loves anise? Highly recommended!
Makes about 40 cookies (7 – 8 cm cutters).
Ingredients for anise cookies:
- 360 g plain flour
- 70 g cornflour
- 140 g icing sugar
- 2½ teaspoons ground anise*
- finely grated zest of 1 large orange
- seeds from ½ vanilla pod
- 250 g butter, cold and diced
- 1 large egg
Sift the flour and cornflour, then add the butter and rub or chop quickly until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the remaining ingredients and quickly bring the dough together (you can also use a food processor). Shape into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Roll out the chilled dough to about 2 – 3 mm thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut out cookies in your chosen shapes and place them on a lined baking tray.
Bake at 180°C for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden with slightly browned edges (smaller biscuits may need less time). Remove and cool on a wire rack.
*About 4–5 whole star anise pods, finely ground.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Sweet by Yotam Ottolenghi.
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