Anispläzchen - German Anise Cookies

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon anise seeds 1 tablespoon anise seeds
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories: 80 kcal / 335 kJ
• Fat: 5g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 8g (Sugar: 3g)
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 0.3g
• Salt: 0.03g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the flour, anise seeds, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Beat in the egg and lemon zest until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. 5.
   Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about ¼ inch.
8. 8.
   Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
9. 9.
   Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. 10.
    Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. 11.
    Once cooled, dust the Anispläzchen with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Anise seeds — Toasting the anise seeds lightly in a dry pan before adding them to the dough can enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced anise flavor, crush the anise seeds slightly before adding them to the dough.
• If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can increase the amount of granulated sugar to your liking.
• Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before rolling it out to prevent it from sticking.

Serving advice

Serve these Anispläzchen with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also perfect for holiday gatherings or as a homemade gift.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Anispläzchen on a decorative platter and sprinkle them with an additional dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation. You can also place them in a festive cookie tin for gifting.