Anise Shortbread Sandwich Cookies Recipes

BISCOCHITOS

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter and shortening together in a large bowl with an electric mixer set to medium speed. When the mixture is very creamy, add add 3/4 cup sugar, the egg, the anise, and the vanilla, then beat to combine.
• Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then turn mixer to low and beat in the dry ingredients until just incorporated-don't over-mix, the dough will be crumbly.
• With mixer still on low, beat in 1/4 cup of brandy. If necessary, continue adding brandy 1 tablespoon at a time to make a firm, cohesive dough.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and wrap each with plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes (or up to 1 day).
• Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
• Working with 1 portion of dough at at time, roll out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured work surface. Cut with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter.** Arrange cut-out cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
• Bake 10 to 16 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack set on a large rimmed baking sheet (or any surface that's easy to clean).
• While cookies are still hot, stir together the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Dust the hot cookies with the cinnamon sugar mixture, then let the cookies cool.
• Uneaten cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

SHORTBREAD SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• Place ungreased baking sheets in the refrigerator. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well., Using a cookie press fitted with a ribbon disk, press dough into 2-1/2-in.-long ribbons on chilled baking sheets. Bake at 375° until edges are lightly browned, 6-8 minutes. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, in a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Dissolve coffee in hot water; add to creamed mixture and mix until smooth. Spread 1 teaspoon filling on the bottom of one cookie; top with another cookie to form a sandwich. Repeat., In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip one end of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off and then in nonpareils. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets until set.

ANISE SHORTBREAD SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse flour, confectioners' sugar, salt, and anise seeds until combined. Add butter; process until mixture becomes sandy. Add yolks and liqueur; pulse until dough comes together (it may be sticky). Divide dough into 2 pieces and pat into disks. Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 3 days (or freeze up to 1 month).
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes using 3 1/2-inch star-shaped cutters. Use a 2 1/8-inch cutter to cut out centers of half of cookies. Transfer like sizes to parchment-lined baking sheets; freeze 15 minutes.
• Bake until cookies are barely turning golden around edges, about 14 minutes for smaller cookies, 16 to 18 for larger. Transfer baking sheets to wire racks; let cool completely. (Cookies can be made ahead up to this point and stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days, or frozen up to 3 months.)
• Bring jam to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium. Cook 1 minute. Strain through a coarse sieve, discarding any large pieces of fruit. Let cool until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon strained jam onto each large solid cookie, and 1/4 teaspoon on half of the smaller cookies. Lightly dust large tops with confectioners' sugar; sandwich halves together. Serve same day.

EASY ANISE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
• Beat eggs and brown sugar together in a large bowl until smooth. Stir anise seed and salt into the egg mixture.
• Dissolve baking soda in hot water; stir into the egg mixture. Add flour and mix into a dough. Form into 36 small balls.
• Spread white sugar into a wide, shallow dish. Roll the cookie dough balls in the sugar to coat. Arrange onto prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
• Bake in preheated oven until edges are crispy, about 10 minutes.

BROWN SUGAR-ANISE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 2 cups flour, the cornstarch and salt in a medium bowl, and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and light brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add vanilla paste and beat on medium speed until well combined, scraping bowl as needed.
• Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. Scrape the bowl and fold a few times to make sure everything is well combined. Divide dough in two, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and flatten into disks. Chill until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
• Place one piece of dough on a lightly floured sheet of parchment, or a silicone baking mat, and flour both sides of the dough and the rolling pin. Roll dough into an oblong oval that is roughly 7-by-10 inches and a generous 1/4-inch thick. Prick all over with a floured fork. Repeat with the second piece of dough. Slide rolled dough on parchment paper onto a baking sheet, and freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
• Lightly beat the egg white with 1 teaspoon water to thin it out. Lightly brush the top of the dough with the egg white, and sprinkle with the anise seeds, pressing gently to adhere. Sprinkle with the sanding sugar, then bake until turning deeply golden at the edges, 15 to 17 minutes.
• Let cool on the baking sheet. After about 5 minutes, use a knife, pastry wheel or pizza cutter to cut crosswise into 3/4-inch strips. Alternatively, let cool and serve whole, allowing guests to break into pieces. Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week.