Swiss Anise Christmas Cookies Food

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.

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.

TRADITIONAL ANISE COOKIES

Steps:

• With a Kitchenaid mixer: beat eggs 20 minutes with 2 cups of granulated sugar (yes I mean 20 minutes as this is what will make the cookies light as a feather with a crisp melt in you mouth top crust).
• Add flour gradually, beating well after each addition. Add 1 tsp anise oil and blend well.
• Drop by tablespoonsful onto greased cookie sheets and let stand in a draft free place overnight.
• Bake in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes until light golden but do not brown.
• Cool on baking racks thoroughly before storing.
• Store in a tightly covered cookie tin (not plastic).
• The longer you let the cookie age, the better it will be.

ANISKRABELI AND ANISBROETLI (SWISS COOKIES WITH ANISE)

Steps:

• Mix sugar and eggs using a blender until they are very soft.
• Add the remaining ingredients and knead into dough.
• For Aniskrabeli form on a floured surface rolls 1.5 cm (½ inch) thick. Cut pieces of 4-5 centimeters (2 inch) of length. Make 3 oblique cuts and fold your cookies slightly (like in the picture).
• For Anisbroetli you need a stamp. In this case roll out your dough on a floured surface or make small balls with your hands. Print the shape with your favorite stamp.
• Put the small pieces onto a baking tray and dry for about 12- 24 hours at room temperature (this step is essential!).
• Bake them for 15-25 minutes with 150 degrees Celsius (300F). These cookies shouldn't turn brown! (heat and timing are basing it on convection oven).
• Let them cool down and enjoy.