Traditional Anise Springerle Cookies
Delight your friends and family this holiday season with these Traditional Anise Springerle Cookies. Originating from Germany, these beautifully molded cookies are not only a feast for the eyes but also a treat for the taste buds. This recipe guides you through making fluffy dough infused with the aromatic flavors of anise and shaped into intricate designs through specialized molds. Perfect for sharing during Christmas gatherings or as a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies transform in flavor as they age, ensuring that they become even more irresistible with time. Enjoy them with a steaming cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa for the ultimate festive experience.
72
Servings
N/A
Calories
4
Ingredients
Ingredients
large eggs
4 (beaten until light and fluffy)
sugar
2 cups (granulated)
anise extract
1 teaspoon (for flavoring)
cake flour
4 1/2 cups (sifted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs on high speed until they are very light and fluffy—this should take about 5-7 minutes.
3
Gradually add the sugar in a slow, steady stream while continuing to beat the mixture for an additional 15 minutes. It’s important to achieve a very fluffy consistency, so do not underbeat.
4
Once the egg-sugar mixture is light and airy, gently fold in the anise extract.
5
Gradually incorporate the sifted cake flour into the mixture, ensuring that it is well combined without overworking the dough.
6
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of approximately 3/8 inch.
7
Thoroughly flour your springerle mold or a rolling pin. Firmly press the molds into the rolled-out dough to create intricate designs.
8
Carefully cut the cookies apart and transfer them to a greased and floured cookie sheet.
9
Allow the cookies to dry at room temperature overnight, either covered with paper towels or left uncovered.
10
The next day, place the dried cookies into the preheated oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 300°F (150°C).
11
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, ensuring they do not brown. The texture should remain hard.
12
Once baked, let them cool down completely on a wire rack.
13
Store the cookies in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks to enhance their flavor and soften slightly.
14
For a festive touch, paint designs on the cookies using egg yolk tinted with food coloring before baking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Traditional Anise Springerle Cookies?
They are beautifully molded German cookies infused with the aromatic flavor of anise, often served during the holiday season.
Where do Springerle cookies originate from?
These cookies originate from Germany.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 large eggs.
What type of flour is best for Springerle cookies?
Sifted cake flour is used for this recipe to ensure the proper texture.
How much sugar is needed?
You will need 2 cups of granulated sugar.
How long should I beat the eggs?
Beat the eggs on high speed for about 5-7 minutes until they are very light and fluffy.
What is the total beating time after adding sugar?
After adding the sugar gradually, you must continue beating the mixture for an additional 15 minutes.
Why is it important to beat the mixture for a long time?
A long beating time is necessary to achieve a very fluffy consistency, which is vital for the cookie's structure.
How is the anise flavor added to the dough?
One teaspoon of anise extract is gently folded into the egg and sugar mixture once it is light and airy.
How should the cake flour be incorporated?
The cake flour should be added gradually and mixed until well combined without overworking the dough.
How thick should I roll the dough?
The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of approximately 3/8 inch.
How do I prevent the dough from sticking to the molds?
You should thoroughly flour your springerle mold or rolling pin before pressing it into the dough.
How do I create the designs on the cookies?
Firmly press specialized springerle molds into the rolled-out dough to create intricate designs.
What should I do after molding the cookies?
Carefully cut the cookies apart and transfer them to a greased and floured cookie sheet.
Why do Springerle cookies need to dry overnight?
Drying the cookies at room temperature overnight helps preserve the molded design during the baking process.
Can I cover the cookies while they dry?
Yes, you can either cover them with paper towels or leave them uncovered while they dry overnight.
What is the initial preheat temperature for the oven?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
When do I reduce the oven temperature?
Immediately reduce the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) once you place the dried cookies into the oven.
How long do the cookies bake?
The cookies should bake for 15 minutes.
Should Springerle cookies be brown when finished?
No, you should ensure that the cookies do not brown during the baking process.
What is the final texture of the baked cookie?
The texture of the baked cookies should remain hard.
How should I cool the cookies?
Once baked, let the cookies cool down completely on a wire rack.
How should the finished cookies be stored?
Store the cookies in an airtight container.
How long should I wait before eating the cookies?
It is best to store them for 2 to 3 weeks to allow the flavor to enhance and the texture to soften slightly.
Can I decorate the cookies before baking?
Yes, you can paint designs on the cookies using egg yolk tinted with food coloring for a festive touch.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 72 servings.
What beverages pair well with these cookies?
They are excellent when served with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
Is the dough supposed to be fluffy?
Yes, the recipe produces a fluffy dough thanks to the extensive beating of eggs and sugar.
What is the main aromatic ingredient?
The primary aromatic ingredient is anise extract.
Are these cookies suitable for gifts?
Yes, their beautiful designs and long shelf life make them a thoughtful homemade gift for the holidays.