Anise Cookies - Anisplätzchen

You will love the aroma this Anise Cookies (Anisplätzchen) fills your home with. Adding a light taste and smell of licorice, the amount of aniseed in recipes like this can vary from a half teaspoon to a heaping tablespoon.

1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
4 eggs, separated
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons anise seed
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Beat powdered sugar, egg yolks and salt in a large bowl until creamy. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until very stiff, fold into sugar mixture. In another bowl combine flour, anise seed and baking powder. Fold into creamed mixture quickly but thoroughly.

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain nozzle with cookie dough. Pipe small rounds onto ungreased baking sheets. Let stand overnight to dry. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and bake cookies 20 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 36 cookies.