Glazed Bohemian Anise Cookies

photo by Laura Ramsey

These cookies are a bit different, but don't be afraid..they are refreshingly sweet!  Anise has forever been described as a black licorice taste.  I for one hate black licorice but for some reason this herb has got me hooked.  Anise has been cultivated in Egypt for more than 4000 years.  It has been used as a cure for tonsillitis, stomach pain, and bad breath.  Hippocrates used it to clear the respiratory system.  I was introduced to them at an Indian restaurant where the seeds are used as an after dinner mint.   If you have not tried this herb I highly recommend you try these cookies.

Recipe by David Dahlman
You will need:

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 3/4 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp black ground pepper
1 tsp anise seeds

For the glaze
1 tbsp melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
about 2 tbsp milk
1/4 tsp anise extract

Heat Oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until smooth.  Beat in egg and lemon peel.  (If you don't have lemon peel add about a 1/4 tsp of lemon juice.)  Stir in 1 3/4 flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and anise seed (you can substitute for fennel seed if you don't have anise).

Shape the dough into 11/3 inch balls.  I use a cookie scoop it just makes everything faster and all of the cookies are the same size so they all cook evenly.  I highly recommend investing in one if you are going to make a lot of cookies.

using a cup that has been dipped in flour, press each ball until it is about 1/4 of an inch thick.....I smashed mine so that they were about 1/2 an inch thick just cause I like thicker cookies.  Also I'm always afraid if they are too thin they will be crispy so whatever your taste, crispy or fluffy.

Bake in the oven for about 11 to 14 minutes.  A trick to know when your cookies are done is to press lightly in the middle of the cookie.  If the depression made disappears quickly, the cookie is done.

While the cookies are cooling, add all of the glaze ingredients into a bowl and whisk them together.  I like to taste a bit of it first to make sure I have enough flavoring.  Glaze is not an exact science, it is really up to you how thick or watery you want it to be.  I like it thick so that you can make designs out of it on the cookies and it resembles frosting.  You can also add a bit more milk and make it thin.  When you put the thinner version on the cookies it will resemble the glaze that is poured over doughnuts.  You can also add toasted almonds to the top of your cookie if you like.  I didn't becuase I like a simple cookie.

Even though these cookies don't have the traditional peppermint flavor of christmas, they still taste like a christmas cookie, so if your in the mood for something other than the traditional try these out.