Celtic Knot Cookies Recipes

CELTIC KNOT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread anise and caraway seeds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool completely. Coarsely grind toasted seeds with a mortar and pestle, or in a spice grinder.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together ground seeds, flour, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar on medium-high speed until well combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed, then beat in vanilla. Continue beating until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture until just combined.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead gently. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a 1-inch-thick disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight.
• To make knots, measure 1 heaping tablespoon of dough; roll into a ball. Transfer to a floured surface; roll into a rope about 12 inches in length and 3/8 inch in diameter. Shape rope into a trefoil design on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press dough at ends and at each intersection to adhere. Measure 1 scant tablespoon of dough; roll into a ball. Transfer to a floured surface; roll into a rope about 8 inches in length and 3/8 inch in diameter. Form into a circle about 3 inches in diameter, pinching ends to form a ring. Center ring on top of trefoil design and gently press to adhere. Repeat with remaining dough (4 to 6 cookies per sheet). Freeze until firm, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until lightly golden brown on edges, 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving, if desired.

ITALIAN KNOT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cream sugar, butter, margarine, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract together in a large bowl. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating briefly after each addition.
• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add 1 cup at a time to the creamed mixture until a dough forms, using your hands if and when necessary. Turn out onto a floured board and knead briefly until smooth and a bit sticky, but not sticking to your hands. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes.
• Pull off small pieces of dough, 1 at a time, and roll into a rope. Gently place one end towards the middle, followed by the other end, in a way to slightly overlap each other. Repeat to form remaining cookies and place on the prepared cookie sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven in batches until just turning a light brown on the bottom, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile mix confectioners sugar, milk, and lemon juice together in a small bowl to form a thin glaze. Dip warm cookies in the glaze and sprinkle with sugar or sprinkles. Let set on waxed paper or a cooling rack to dry.