| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 10 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 320 | 12g | 7g | 45g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 19g | 2g | 6g | 0.2g |
When I think of my favorite family recipes, ones that run in my lineage or are inspired by the same, the Anise Christmas Cookies take a special place in my heart. The tantalizing blend of anise seeds mixed with a variety of succulent dried fruits gives these cookies an unforgettable flavor and ticks all boxes of an ideal dessert; sweet, crunchy, and absolutely melt-in-the-mouth good.
The Connection to My Roots
Just as the dough of these Anise Christmas Cookies holds together all the delicious ingredients, these small delights hold together generations of my Italian-American family. Each year, we would sit around our family kitchen, hands dusted with flour as we combined the perfect amounts of salt, baking powder, anise seeds, and a hint of pure vanilla extract to create these cookies. Needless to say, the kitchen would be filled with the warm, comforting aroma of baking cookies.
Healthy Indulgence
While it’s a sweet dessert, the Anise Christmas Cookies are more than just a sugary indulgence. Anise seeds have a long history of use as a spice and medicine. They are known to aid digestion, reduce nausea, and alleviate cramps. There are many proven health benefits of anise, from its antibacterial properties to its potential for reducing symptoms of depression and menopause. It’s more than just a yummy additive to our cookies – it’s a natural gift of wellness from Mother Nature.
The mixed dried fruits in the cookies also add their own health benefits. From providing you with essential vitamins and fiber to aiding in digestion and boosting your iron intake, dried fruits are a nutritious complement to any meal.
Dish Pairing
These cookies are perfect just on their own, but if you really want to enhance your culinary experience, pair them with a traditional Italian dessert wine like Vin Santo. The sweet, nutty flavor of the wine pairs wonderfully with our cookies. And if you’re after a savory and sweet combination, these cookies balance out perfectly with a good old fashioned plate of spaghetti and meatballs – a warm, hearty entree followed by a lightly sweet, crunchy treat.
So, whether it’s a traditional Christmas gathering or a simple family dinner, bring out your baking sheet and flavor your occasion with the Anise Christmas Cookies. They are more than just cookies – they are a celebration of lineage, love, and la dolce vita.
What You’ll Need
<li>2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</li>
<li>1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1 tablespoon anise seeds</li>
<li>1 cup granulated sugar</li>
<li>3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened</li>
<li>2 large eggs</li>
<li>1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon anise extract</li>
<li>1 & 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit, chopped into small pieces</li>
<li>Colored sugar crystals for decoration (optional)</li>
</ul>
Method
<h3>Step One</h3>
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
<h3>Step Two</h3>
In a large bowl, mix together 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon anise seeds.
<h3>Step Three</h3>
In another bowl, beat 1 cup of sugar with 3/4 cup softened, unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy. Then beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, plus 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of anise extract. Continue beating until well combined.
<h3>Step Four</h3>
Slowly add the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture while beating at a low speed. Mix until well combined. Fold in 1 & 1/2 cups of chopped mixed dried fruit.
<h3>Step Five</h3>
Scoop dough and place on prepared cookie sheets. Press down gently on each cookie to slightly flatten the top and sprinkle with colored sugar crystals if desired.
<h3>Step Six</h3>
Place the cookies in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to brown slightly. After removing from the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
