Swiss Anise Cookies Chrabeli Recipes

SWISS ANISE CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Toast the anise seeds for a few minutes in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Coarsely grind them in a mortar and set aside. → Those two steps enhance the anise flavor!
• Beat the eggs, powdered sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer until white and fluffy (takes about 3-5 minutes).
• Stir in anise seeds.
• Add flour and stir using a spatula until just combined.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and form/roll the dough into ½-inch (1 ½ cm) thick rolls. → This is about the thickness of a finger.
• Cut the rolls into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces. Make two cuts and shape them into a half-moon (see pictures in the blog post's step-by-step instructions). Transfer to the lined baking sheets and let them dry at room temperature for 24 hours. → Don't cover, and don't leave at a place with a draft.
• Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the cookies in the lower third of the oven, with the oven door slightly ajar, for 15-20 minutes.→ Stick a wooden spoon between the oven and the door!
• Remove from the oven, allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

CHRABELI (SWISS ANISE CRESCENT COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together with an electric mixer until thick and pale, about 10 minutes. Stir in the kirsch, salt, and anise seed. Use a sturdy spoon to stir in the flour. Add additional flour if needed to form a soft dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• Divide the dough into two 1/2 inch thick ropes, and cut each rope into 2 inch long pieces. Place the pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, and cut three diagonal slits into one side of each piece. Bend the cookies to open the slits, flaring out the cuts. Cover loosely with a tea towel and allow to dry in a cool area for 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. They should not turn brown on top, and be only lightly colored on the bottom. Remove from the oven, and let stand in a cool place for 3 or 4 days. They will be rock hard at first, but will soften over time. Place the cookies in a cookie tin separated by sheets of waxed paper. Age 2 to 3 weeks to allow the flavor to mature.

ANISKRABELI AND ANISBROETLI (SWISS COOKIES WITH ANISE)

Steps:

• Mix sugar and eggs using a blender until they are very soft.
• Add the remaining ingredients and knead into dough.
• For Aniskrabeli form on a floured surface rolls 1.5 cm (½ inch) thick. Cut pieces of 4-5 centimeters (2 inch) of length. Make 3 oblique cuts and fold your cookies slightly (like in the picture).
• For Anisbroetli you need a stamp. In this case roll out your dough on a floured surface or make small balls with your hands. Print the shape with your favorite stamp.
• Put the small pieces onto a baking tray and dry for about 12- 24 hours at room temperature (this step is essential!).
• Bake them for 15-25 minutes with 150 degrees Celsius (300F). These cookies shouldn't turn brown! (heat and timing are basing it on convection oven).
• Let them cool down and enjoy.

FESTIVE BRATSELI COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk together 3 cups flour, the cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Add extracts, and zest if using; mix until combined. Add eggs; mix until combined.
• Whisk cream in a medium bowl until just slightly thickened. Fold into butter mixture.
• Reduce mixer speed to low. Add flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Add remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until incorporated after each addition, until dough is just soft enough to handle but still slightly sticky. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls.
• Coat a bratseli or pizzelle iron with cooking spray, and heat. Place 1 ball of dough in each grid, and press handle down tightly. Cook bratseli until golden (some machines have a green light that will illuminate when done), 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Trim edges, if needed. Let cool completely on wire racks. Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 weeks.