Anise Drop Cookies

Almost decorated for the holidays... Outside is totally done, including "candles" in the window on the inside, shining out. One of the candles died this year, they are more than 10 years old, so it's not too surprising. We can wait until after Christmas to pick up a new one in a sale. The candle that's behind the crepe myrtle in the dining room window is almost invisible anyway.

I made anise drop cookies a couple of days ago. This is an interesting recipe. I found it in a Better Homes and Gardens cookie magazine as an "Anise Macaroon", but when I googled it for more information, I found out that it is really NOT a macaroon, which uses only egg whites. Interestingly, it is VERY similar to the gum drop cookies that my great grandmother used to make at the holidays in the ingredients for the batter. It allowed me to make that gum drop cookie really work, FINALLY.

These cookies are wonderful, IF you like the flavor of anise or licorice. Otherwise, don't bother as they are pretty pungent. Since I like licorice, as does everyone in my family, I love baking them.

Anise Drop Cookies (Anise Plaetzchen)
3 Eggs
1 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Anise Seed, finely crushed
3 Drops Anise Oil

Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, beat eggs with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 10 minutes or until eggs are slightly thickened and light-colored.

Gradually beat in sugar; continue to beat until mixture is smooth and shiny. (This takes about 5 minutes; sugar should be nearly dissolved.)

Reduce mixer to low speed; stir in flour, 1/2 cup at a time.

Mix in anise seeds and anise oil.

Line cookies sheets with parchment paper. Drop dough from well-rounded teaspoons 1 1/2 inches apart onto prepared cookies sheets. I used a small cookie scoop to get more uniform cookies.

Let stand, uncovered, for at least 1 hour. Overnight is OK.

Preheat oven to 275F.

Bake cookies about 20 minutes or until firm and barely beginning to brown on edges.

Let cool on baking sheet. I actually just turned off the oven and left them in there until the oven cooled down. They peeled off paper very cleanly.