Orange Anise Seed Squares Recipes

ORANGE-ANISE SQUARES

Steps:

• Make Classic Shortbread dough, beating the seeds from 1 vanilla bean and 1/2 teaspoon crushed toasted anise seeds with the butter. Whisk 2 cups confectioners' sugar and 2 1/2 tablespoons orange juice; spread over the finished shortbread and slice. Top with candied orange slices.

ANISE-ORANGE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flours, anise, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Put sugar and zest into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed for 30 seconds. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to medium. Mix in juice and egg. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined.
• Working in batches, spoon batter into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip (such as Wilton No. 1A). Pipe 3 1/2-inch-long lines onto parchment-lined baking sheets, making the ends slightly thicker than centers. Bake cookies until edges and bottoms are golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Using a spatula, transfer cookies to rack; let cool completely.

ORANGE-ANISE CREPES

Steps:

• Beat together the eggs, milk, orange juice, anise, and flour until smooth. Refrigerate overnight.
• To cook the crepes, melt a little butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat; brush the butter evenly over the pan. Pour in 1/4 cup of the batter, tilt the pan to distribute the batter evenly. Cook until the batter begins to firm up and bubble, when lightly browned, flip over, and continue cooking until browned on the other side, about 4 minutes total. Repeat with remaining batter. To serve, sprinkle crepes with sugar.

ORANGE ANISE SEED SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• *NOTE: The orange juice is my addition. You can add any proportion of milk and orange juice as long as the liquid equals 1 cup.
• Topping Number Two: To make the simple syrup, bring the water and sugar to the boil in a small saucepan. Boil for 2 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the orange blossom water. Set aside.
• Cake: Grease and flour an 8" square baking pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy.
• Add the flour, baking powder, salt, milk, orange juice, anise seeds and nutmeg. Beat on low speeds just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Next, beat on medium speed until fluffy and blended, about another minute.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.
• Remove from oven and while still cake is still hot spread the orange marmalade on top for Topping Number One. For Topping Number Two, poke holes in the top of the cake all over with a toothpick. Pour the simple syrup over the top.
• Cut into squares. Delicious with coffee!

ORANGE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, almonds, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, and 1 tsp orange zest.
• Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
• Press into bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, orange juice, and extract.
• Combine remaining 1/4 cup flour and baking powder and add to sugar mixture, whisking to combine.
• Pour over crust.
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until set.
• Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired.
• Cut into squares to serve.