Swiss Anise Cookies Chrabeli Recipes

SWISS ANISE COOKIES (CHRABELI)

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk eggs on medium speed until foamy. Add sugar, increase speed to high, and continue whisking until thick and glossy, about 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add anise seeds, kirsch, lemon zest, and salt; whisk to combine. Add flour and whisk until just combined. Divide dough into quarters, wrapping three portions individually in plastic.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, working quickly, roll unwrapped portion of dough into a rope 3/8 inch in diameter and 30 inches long. Using a sharp paring knife, cut rope into 2-inch pieces. Make three cuts on one side of each piece, being careful not to cut all the way through. Shape each piece into a crescent with the cuts on the outside of the crescent. Transfer to prepared baking sheets. Repeat process, working with one portion of remaining dough at a time, and dividing crescents evenly between baking sheets. Let stand uncovered at room temperature 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Bake until set yet without any color, about 25 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool completely.

CHRABELI (SWISS ANISE CRESCENT COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together with an electric mixer until thick and pale, about 10 minutes. Stir in the kirsch, salt, and anise seed. Use a sturdy spoon to stir in the flour. Add additional flour if needed to form a soft dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• Divide the dough into two 1/2 inch thick ropes, and cut each rope into 2 inch long pieces. Place the pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, and cut three diagonal slits into one side of each piece. Bend the cookies to open the slits, flaring out the cuts. Cover loosely with a tea towel and allow to dry in a cool area for 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. They should not turn brown on top, and be only lightly colored on the bottom. Remove from the oven, and let stand in a cool place for 3 or 4 days. They will be rock hard at first, but will soften over time. Place the cookies in a cookie tin separated by sheets of waxed paper. Age 2 to 3 weeks to allow the flavor to mature.

SWISS ANISE CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Toast the anise seeds for a few minutes in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Coarsely grind them in a mortar and set aside. → Those two steps enhance the anise flavor!
• Beat the eggs, powdered sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer until white and fluffy (takes about 3-5 minutes).
• Stir in anise seeds.
• Add flour and stir using a spatula until just combined.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and form/roll the dough into ½-inch (1 ½ cm) thick rolls. → This is about the thickness of a finger.
• Cut the rolls into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces. Make two cuts and shape them into a half-moon (see pictures in the blog post's step-by-step instructions). Transfer to the lined baking sheets and let them dry at room temperature for 24 hours. → Don't cover, and don't leave at a place with a draft.
• Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the cookies in the lower third of the oven, with the oven door slightly ajar, for 15-20 minutes.→ Stick a wooden spoon between the oven and the door!
• Remove from the oven, allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.