Anisette Dessert Squares Recipes

CHOCOLATE ANISE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Add the ground anise seed and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Form the dough into a 16-inch-long, 3-inch-wide log. Transfer the log to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 30 minutes. Cool 30 minutes.
• Place the log on the cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the cookies cut side down on the baking sheet. Bake the cookies until pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a rack and cool completely.

ITALIAN ANISETTE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder and white sugar. Make a well in the center and add oil, milk, 1 tablespoon anise extract, and eggs. Mix together until dough is sticky.
• Oil fingers and pinch off dough in 1 inch pieces. Roll into a ball and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet, 1 inch apart, flatten top slightly. Bake for 8 minutes. Dip cookies in Icing while warm.
• To Make Icing: Blend in 1 teaspoon anise extract and enough hot water to 1 cup confectioner's sugar to form a smooth icing.

ITALIAN ANISETTE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add sugar, salt, baking powder, anisette; beat until smooth.
• In a small bowl, beat together oil and room temperature butter until well combined. Stir into batter.
• Gradually add flour, beating only for a short time after flour has been added. Use more or less flour to make a soft cookie batter dough. (Using less flour will make for a lighter cookie). Dough should be soft, but stiff enough to form a smooth shape.
• Cover; refrigerate dough for several hours.
• Using a cookie scoop or two teaspoons, shape the dough into small balls; press bottom of cookies lightly onto lightly greased cookie sheets, while keeping the rounded tops.
• Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. The cookies should be crisp but do not brown - they should be very light in color.
• Using a spatula, transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
• To ice the cookies: In a clean mixing bowl, combine 1 cup confectioners' sugar with 4 teaspoons milk and 4 teaspoons Karo syrup. Stir until the icing is of a spreadable consistency, adding more milk if required. A few drops of anisette may be added for flavor; a drop or two of food coloring can be stirred in for a pastel-colored icing, if desired.
• Dip cookie tops into icing, then optionally sprinkle with colored cookie decorations.
• Makes approximately 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

ANISETTE COOKIES II

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
• In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, milk, oil and anise extract until smooth. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the liquid mixture into it. Mix well until a soft dough is formed. Stir in the extra 1/2 cup of flour if necessary. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Cool on wire racks.

ANISETTE-MASCARPONE CAKE

Steps:

• MAKE THE CAKE: Preheat oven to 350*F.
• Line a 13x9" baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.
• Whip the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy using an electric mixer on medium-high speed.
• With the mixer running, drizzle in the vegetable oil, then the vanilla.
• Sift the flour and baking powder together; add to the egg mixture alternately with the milk, mixing after each addition, just until combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan; bake until firm and springy to the touch, and a toothpick tests out clean, 35-40 minutes.
• Cool cake in the pan on a wire rack.
• MEANWHILE, MAKE THE TOPPING: Whip the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy and the sugar is almost dissolved.
• Add the mascarpone cheese and Sambucca; whip just until stiff and frosting-like, being careful not to overmix.
• (Overmixing may cause the mascarpone to separate.) Chill until ready to use.
• MAKE THE ANISETTE SYRUP: Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Remove pan from heat and add the Sambucca; set aside to cool slightly.
• Invert the cake; peel off the parchment paper.
• Brush the surface of the cake with the syrup until it is all absorbed.
• Cover with the mascarpone topping, using all the cream.
• Chill, lightly covered, at least 2 hours.
• When ready to serve, sprinkle with the grated chocolate, cut into squares, and serve cold.

ANISETTE

Steps:

• In a mortar and pestle, or a resealable bag and rolling pin, crush anise pods and fennel and coriander seeds. Toast together in a skillet over medium-high until fragrant, about 1 minute. Divide between 2 quart-size glass jars, then divide vodka evenly between jars. Let cool completely. Screw lids onto jars, shake gently, and let stand in a cool, dark place 5 days.
• Strain vodka mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth; discard solids. In a small pot, boil sugar and 1 1/4 cups water just until sugar dissolves; add to strained vodka. Let cool completely, then refrigerate until cold, 1 hour. Divide among eight 8-ounce gift bottles. Bottles will keep in refrigerator up to 6 months. To serve, pour 1.5 ounces directly over ice, or add 1 part anisette and 3 parts cold water to a glass filled with ice.