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Caption: Traditional Sicilian Anise Citrus Cookies
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Caption: Authentic Italian cookies flavored with sweet anise, accented with tangy orange zest, and cloaked in a creamy citrus glaze.
Caption: I don’t know about you, but I love recipes that come with a good story. This is one such recipe. So break out the popcorn, and settle in for a little story time. (This is @steller after all.)
This recipe was sought after by my lovely mother-in-law, Paige, for nearly 30 years! You heard me right, 30 years! With that much persistence it has to be amazing, right?
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Caption: Right.
Caption: It all started with Mrs. Montanari. Mrs. Montanari was the mother of one of my father-in-laws aunts. She was an older Sicilian woman; gruff yet bearing the qualities of a traditional Italian “mama”.
My mother-in-law would see her at family gatherings where she would bring her famous licorice flavored cookies. Paige would always ask her for the recipe but to no avail.
Mrs. Montanari would inevitably reply, with a giant smirk on her face, “I don’t know. A handful of this, a handful of that.”
She refused to divulge her secret recipe and wound up taking it with her to her grave.
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Caption: Paige couldn't stop thinking about these dreamy cookies! Over the years she would ask people if they knew what the cookies were called.
Finally, last month, she struck gold. An elderly woman at church (in her 70’s) shared her Sicilian mother’s personal recipe! It doesn’t get any more authentic than that folks.
This is that recipe. Of course I tinkered with it, but this recipe is the real deal.
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Caption: Note: All citrus fruits go well with Anise so you don’t have to limit yourself to just oranges. Personally, it is my favorite pairing which is why I went with oranges.
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Caption: Here are the answers to some questions you may be having about now…
Caption: What is Anise?
Anise is a spice that’s flavor bears a strong resemblance to black licorice.
Where can I find Anise extract?
Anise extract is surprisingly easy to find as McCormick makes it. You can also purchase it online.
Can I substitute another extract for the Anise?
No, nothing else has that distinctive licorice flavor. The only thing you could use is actual anise seeds (found in your grocer’s spice aisle) but the flavor will be different.
What other variations would you recommend for these cookies?
-Adding citrus extract (for an extra punch)
-Dipping in dark chocolate (or any kind of chocolate)
-Adding coconut (um, yum)
-Adding sprinkles (because sprinkles make everything better)
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Caption: *Yields 40 cookies The Recipe
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Caption: INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups (312.5g) all-purpose flour (adding more as needed, up to 6 cups)
2 teaspoons baking powder
Dash of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very cold
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1/8 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons anise extract
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons milk (more if needed)
Orange zest for garnishing (optional)
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Caption: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a food processor, process flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. Cut butter into chunks and add to mixture, pulsing until it looks sandy.
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Caption: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat eggs well. Add sugar, milk, vanilla, and anise; mixing until fully incorporated.
Add flour mixture to liquid mixture; adding more flour (if necessary) until dough reaches right consistency (will be softer than drop cookie dough, but workable). Toss in orange zest and mix until evenly distributed. Chill dough for an hour.
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Caption: Cut into 2-inch circles & place in freezer for 5 min.
Roll dough out on lightly floured work surface until 1/4 inch thick.
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Caption: Bake for 9-11 minutes (or until firm). Bottoms will be only slightly browned.
Let cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
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Caption: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together glaze ingredients until smooth. If necessary, add more milk until desired consistency is achieved.
Dip tops of cookies in glaze, garnish with orange zest, and allow glaze to harden.
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Caption: These cookies are absolutely divine with a cup of good coffee or espresso.
According to my mother-in-law they taste just like Mrs. Montanari’s.
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Caption: Delizioso!
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Caption: Instagram.com/katienwmn For more visit dashofgrace.com