Mom-Mom's Christmas Anise Toasts.

Monday, December 27, 2010



Each Christmas, for as long as I've been alive, my Grandma (whom we refer to as "Mom-mom") baked us the most delicious cookies made from recipes that have been in our family for many generations. One was a Polish fried bow-tie cookie known as a krusciki and the other was a delicious biscotti cookie known as an anise toast. I had always been eager to learn to bake these family-famous cookies, so finally a couple years ago while I was an undergraduate student, I got a one-on-one cookie lesson from the baker herself (lucky me!). A year-and-a-half ago Mom-mom passed away and since then we've kept her tradition alive by continuing to bake the cookies. Today I am going to share with you the recipe for the anise toasts. Let me tell you, people either love them or hate them. Of course, my family can't get enough of them and we look forward to them every year!











Anise Toasts

2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
1½ cups sugar
5 eggs
4 cups flour
3 Tsp. baking powder
½ Tsp. salt
1 Tbs. anise seeds (crushed)
1 Tbs. anise extract
Eggs
Sprinkles


Directions
Place butter, sugar, and eggs in bowl. Beat to a fluff. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Place anise extract and anise seeds into butter mixture. Place flour mixture into butter mixture 1 cup at a time. Blend/mix well. Dough will be soft.

Place dough in a large plastic wrap and place in freezer. Dough should look like a loaf.

When ready to bake, cut dough into long log like pieces. Coat top with scrambled egg yolk and sprinkles. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Cut loaf into diagonal cookies. Turn cookies on side and bake for about another 10-15 minutes.

Let cool.



20 comments:

Casey said...

Thanks for sharing this very special recipe!

Hope that you and yours had a fabulous holiday!!!

xo,
Casey
www.blondebargainbabe.com

Hayley said...

are they kind of like a biscotti?? merry christmas girls!

hayley
http://www.theweekendfile.blogspot.com

krisandkel said...

That is exactly the best way to describe them! Merry Christmas to you too! :)

Bridget said...

they're beautiful!

Alyssa said...

this looks so amazing! i'm going to try your recipe. thank you so much for sharing!

Teresa said...

Mmm... Funny and tasty!

Kisses
Teresa

Unknown said...

i have to be honest, I'm one of the anise haters (makes me hate fennel too) :/ they do look great though - i really love anything tradition. and I think it's funny you call her Mom-Mom bc I call my mom mommom hahah

www.ThePantryDrawer.com

Marella said...

Seems to be delicious!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Those look wonderful but I have never heard of "anise"..what is that?

sandy toe

krisandkel said...

Thanks for all the VERY nice comments! Anise is a seed that has a licorice-like taste. I personally don't like licorice but these cookies are so so yummy!

sbot said...

Anise toast!? Yum!!!



Following your blog now, hope you'll want to follow mine too : )
www.baublesandbangles.blogspot.com

-Stephanie

Natalie Suarez said...

YUM! i love this! :)

natalieoffduty.blogspot.com

Kristen said...

Those cookies look amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe. :)

Anonymous said...

MMMMHHH TKS FOR THIS FANTASTIC RECIPE!

http://fashionlivesalwaystwotimes.blogspot.com/

BECKY MAY said...

lovely blog! those look delicious

BM

thebohemiangoods.blogspot.com

xxx

Ellinor Forje said...

Now red velvet is on my mind too. Thanks for sharing the images and drop by me too when you have time.

Cheers.

jaclyn said...

those look amazingly delicious!!! thanks for posting - im going to try these =)

http://www.thelateafternoon.com

Anna said...

This looks like a gorgeous recipe, your photos are excellent too.
Hope you had a lovely Christmas, thanks for your comment on my blog.
xxx

theothersideofthepondmydear

Cylia said...

ooohh yumm! that is so yummmy... you got me drooling now.

elizabeth s. said...

They look sooo yummy! I think I might be baking these for a New Year's treat! Thanks for sharing girls!

xx

e.

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