Cinnamon Anise Cookies Recipes

ANISE SEED-CINNAMON COOKIES: BISCOCHITOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.
• In a small bowl combine sugar, orange zest, and sherry, and set aside to let flavors infuse the sugar. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, anise seed, and salt. In another bowl, beat the lard with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add lard and infused sugar to flour mixture and knead until it forms a cohesive mass. On a floured surface, roll dough to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Cut into rectangles and pinch 1 of the short sides into deditos (little toes) which will spread apart when baking.
• For the topping, combine cinnamon with sugar in a small bowl. Brush rectangles with beaten egg and sprinkle with topping. Transfer cookies with a spatula to baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes until crispy and edges are just beginning to turn golden. Serve with cota tea or atole.

CINNAMON STARS: ZIMTSTERNE (GERMANY)

Steps:

• Sift the confectioners' sugar.
• Put 1/2 cup of the sifted confectioners' sugar, 10 ounces (3 heaping cups) of the almonds and all the cinnamon in a food processor. Process until the nuts are finely ground, with just a few larger pieces.
• Whip the egg whites in a large, clean bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until they hold soft peaks, about 1 minute. Gradually add the remaining confectioners' sugar while whipping, until the whites are thick, creamy and somewhat stiff, about 2 minutes more. Set aside 2/3 cup of this meringue for topping the cookies.
• Fold the ground almond mixture and the lemon zest into the remaining meringue to make a stiff dough.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Lay a sheet of parchment or waxed paper on the work surface and lightly dust with confectioners' sugar. Turn the dough out onto the dusted paper, flatten and dust with more sugar as needed, and then lay another sheet of parchment or waxed paper on top. Roll the dough between the papers until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Flip the dough over and gently peel off a sheet of the paper. For ease when cutting, lay the paper back on the dough, flip again and gently pull off the other side of the paper so that the dough is fully released from it.
• Cut cookies with a 3-inch star cutter and place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. (Excess dough can be rerolled.) Use a small spoon, brush or offset spatula to spread the reserved meringue over the top of each cookie, taking care not to let the meringue drip over the sides. Press or sprinkle remaining sliced almonds in a decorative pattern into the meringue.
• Bake cookies until bottoms are light golden brown and meringue is set and crisp, about 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the oven door to release heat and dry cookies out in the oven for 10 more minutes.

CINNAMON ANISE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, orange juice and aniseed. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. , Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; set aside., On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. , Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

CINNAMON SPICE DROP COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter flavored shortening, light brown sugar and dark brown sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the milk and vanilla, blending until the mixture is light and fluffy. Combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter until well blended. Mix in cinnamon chips and if using, pecans. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, just until the cookies lose their gloss. Remove from the cookie sheets to wire racks to cool.

BISCOCHITOS

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter and shortening together in a large bowl with an electric mixer set to medium speed. When the mixture is very creamy, add add 3/4 cup sugar, the egg, the anise, and the vanilla, then beat to combine.
• Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then turn mixer to low and beat in the dry ingredients until just incorporated-don't over-mix, the dough will be crumbly.
• With mixer still on low, beat in 1/4 cup of brandy. If necessary, continue adding brandy 1 tablespoon at a time to make a firm, cohesive dough.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and wrap each with plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes (or up to 1 day).
• Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
• Working with 1 portion of dough at at time, roll out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured work surface. Cut with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter.** Arrange cut-out cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
• Bake 10 to 16 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack set on a large rimmed baking sheet (or any surface that's easy to clean).
• While cookies are still hot, stir together the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Dust the hot cookies with the cinnamon sugar mixture, then let the cookies cool.
• Uneaten cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

CINNAMON ANISE STAR COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl, cream shortening and sugar until fluffy; add egg and aniseed. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture. Add orange juice and mix well. On a floured surface, knead until well blended, about 4-5 minutes. Roll dough to 1/2-in. thickness; cut into 2" shapes. Place on greased or parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 12-16 minutes or until lightly browned. Combine sugar and cinnamon; roll cookies in the mixture while still warm coating well. Cool on wire racks.