Springerle (molded Christmas Cookies)

Total Time: 24 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 24 hrs Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon anise extract
• 4 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted

Recipe

• 1 beat eggs until very light and fluffy.
• 2 gradually add sugar; beat for 15 minutes.
• 3 do not under beat.
• 4 fold in anise extract and flour.
• 5 roll dough 3/8-inch thick.
• 6 thoroughly flour springerle mold or rolling pin.
• 7 press molds firmly to dough.
• 8 cut cookies apart and place on greased and floured cookie sheet.
• 9 let dry overnight at room temperature, covered with paper towels, or uncovered.
• 10 preheat oven to 375°f.
• 11 place cookies in oven and immediately reduce temperature to 300°f.
• 12 bake for 15 minutes.
• 13 cookies should not brown.
• 14 store cookies 2 to 3 weeks to mellow flavor.
• 15 these cookies are very hard and may be used for dunking in coffee, tea or cocoa.
• 16 for christmas, paint designs with egg yolk colored with food coloring.