Orange Anise Bizcochitos Mexican Orange Anise Cookies Recipes

ORANGE-ANISE BIZCOCHITOS (MEXICAN ORANGE-ANISE COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat shortening and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Add egg, orange peel, and orange juice and beat just until combined.
• In a medium bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, anise seeds, baking powder, and salt. Add to shortening mixture, stir to mix, then beat well until well blended. Divide dough in half and flatten each half into a disk. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Unwrap dough. On a lightly floured surface, with a floured rolling pin, roll one disk at a time to about 1/8-inch thick. With floured (2 to 2 1/2-inch) cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes and place about 1-inch apart on greased cookie sheets.
• Bake cookies at 350°F just until edges are golden, about 10-12 minutes. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

BIZCOCHITOS (MEXICAN ANISE COOKIES)

Steps:

• Cream margarine; gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating at medium speed of a mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Combine cake flour, aniseed, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture, stirring until well-blended. Divide dough in half; shape each portion into a ball, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Freeze 40 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 d F. Remove one portion of dough from freezer; remove plastic wrap. Roll dough to a 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut with a 2-inch round cutter. Place on baking sheets. Combine 2 teaspoons sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over cookies. Bake at 350 d F for 10 minutes. Remove from baking sheets immediately; cool on wire racks. Repeat procedure with remaining portion of dough. Store in an airtight container.
• Note: Time does not include chill time of dough.

ANISE-ORANGE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flours, anise, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Put sugar and zest into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed for 30 seconds. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to medium. Mix in juice and egg. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined.
• Working in batches, spoon batter into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip (such as Wilton No. 1A). Pipe 3 1/2-inch-long lines onto parchment-lined baking sheets, making the ends slightly thicker than centers. Bake cookies until edges and bottoms are golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Using a spatula, transfer cookies to rack; let cool completely.