See Also: Christmas · Cookies · Cooking Club
Anise Strufoli
From Dorothy McNett's recipes at www.dorothymcnett.com. Make these Italian treats any time of the year, but they are especially delicious during the Christmas season.
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon anise seeds
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
oil for deep frying
1 cup local honey
candy sprinkles and decorations, as desired
In batter bowl whisk sugar, anise, vanilla, salt and eggs. Blend in about 2 cups of the flour, mixing well and then dump out onto floured surface, kneading in the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Cut dough into 20 pieces and then roll each piece into pencil shapes and then cut each into about 1/2 inch pieces. In heavy bottomed saute pan heat enough oil to be about 2 inches deep. Heat to 350 degrees and then fry a few pieces at a time, 1-2 minutes or until nicely browned. Using a slotted spoon, remove cookies to a paper towel lined baking sheet. When all cookies are cooked, heat the honey in a small saucepan to the boiling point. Place the cookies in a large bowl and then pour the hot honey over them, tossing gently to coat them. Spoon onto a serving platter, and if desired mound them into a tree shape. Decorate as desired. Cool and serve.
Recipe created 2011-11-07.
