Papassini - Sardinian Anise Cookies
Try these traditional Sardinian cookies with delicate anise flavor, soft raisin and delicious decorative glaze.
Servings: 40 cookies
Calories: 150kcal
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 cups all purpose flour (12 oz)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (12 oz)
- 2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 oz walnuts chopped
- 4 oz almonds chopped
- 3 tablespoon star anise (ground)
- 3-4 tablespoon anise seeds
- 3-4 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 2 oz dates diced (optional)
- 1 oz dried figs diced (optional)
- 4 oz raisins
- 1 lemon zest only
- 1 orange zest only
- 4 oz butter
- 5 eggs
For the glaze:
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- Color Sprinkles
Instructions
Prepare the dough:
- Put raisins to soak in a warm water for 15-30 minutes. Drain.
- In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients (both flours, sugar, baking powder, chopped walnuts and almonds, ground star anise, anise seeds, fennel seeds, diced dated and figs, organic non-treated orange and lemon zest).
- Add eggs, softened butter, mix well with hands until crumbly dough.
Knead until the dough comes together and all ingredients spread evenly.If the dough is still too dry add a tablespoon on milk or water. - If the dough feels too sticky add some more flour.
- Cover the dough with a linen towel and let rest for 30 minutes or so.
Shape and bake cookies:
- You can shape these cookies in 2 ways:
- Cut off a piece of the dough and roll it into a thick approx. ½ inch in diameter rope. Dust with flour when needed.
- Press it with fingers giving it a flat form. Cut across the first diagonal, proceed with diagonal cuts forming diamond shapes. Place on a baking sheet leaving some space between the cookies. Cut off another piece of the dough and repeat the process.
- Cut off a lager piece of the dough, dust lightly with flour and roll it out to approx. ¼ of an inch thick. Cut cookies into diamond shape by first, cutting lengthwise strips approx 1 ½ - 2 inch, then making diagonal cuts to make diamonds.
- Bake in a preheated to 375F oven for 15-20 minutes. Time in the oven depends on the size of the cookies. They should be lightly brown, not too dark.
Prepare the glaze:
- While cookies bake in the oven prepare the glaze.
- Beat egg white with a pinch of salt and lemon juice. Once it’s foamy fold in confectioners sugar until you get a thick but still runny texture. Add a teaspoon of water if the glaze is too thick.
- Once cookies are baked brush them with the glaze using a pastry brush. Sprinkle with multi-color sprinkles.
Notes
The size of the cookies is typically 2 - 2 ½" lengthwise and an 1-1 ½" crosswise.
Nutrition
Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 2mg