Traditional Mexican Anise Cookies Recipe
Overview
These Traditional Mexican Anise Cookies are a delightful treat infused with delicate anise flavor, perfect for pairing with a rich espresso or enjoying on their own. This recipe holds sentimental value, originating from a co-worker’s contribution during monthly office cookie exchanges.
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
- Recipe Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, Mexican, Weeknight, < 4 Hours
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons sherry wine
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (divided)
Instructions
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Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of sugar, softened butter, and shortening until light and fluffy.
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Incorporate Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the egg, sherry wine, vanilla extract, and anise extract until well combined.
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Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Mix the Dough:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-egg mixture, stirring until well mixed.
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Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two equal halves. Wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until firm but still workable.
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Set aside.
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Roll and Shape the Cookies:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half of the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, re-rolling the scraps only once to minimize dough handling.
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Bake the Cookies:
- Place the cut-out cookies on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle each cookie generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
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Bake Until Golden:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
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Cool and Enjoy:
- Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)
- Calories: 112.6
- Total Fat: 5.6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4g
- Cholesterol: 12.7mg
- Sodium: 50.1mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 13.8g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 1.1g
These Traditional Mexican Anise Cookies not only embody a rich cultural flavor but also bring a sense of nostalgia from shared moments at the workplace. Their buttery texture and subtle hints of anise make them a perfect treat for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging in a moment of sweetness with loved ones.