Springerle

Springerle

Not only is this Springerle easy to make. It also tastes divine. Nothing can better to enjoy or be savored than to make a heavenly but easy desserts recipe. I can mumble alot about this recipe but you have got to try it yourself and enjoy it.
Ingredients:
Yield:84Servings

• 1/2T Baker's ammonia
• 2T Milk
• 6Eggs,at, Room Temperature
• 11/2lb Confectioners'sugar (about6cups)
• 1/2C Unsalted butter,,Softened
• 1/2T Anise oil
• 1/2T Salt
• 8C Cake flour,,Sifted

Directions:

Preparation time:40minutes
Standing time:1 hour plus overnight
Cooking time:10to12 minutes
Aging time: 1week or more

1. Mash baker's ammonia with a rolling pin if it is not powdered.
2. Dissolve it in the milk in a small bowl and let stand  1 hour before using.
3. Beat eggs in large bowl of electric mixer until thick and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes. 
4. Gradually beat in confectioners'sugar until creamy and smooth. Add butter and beat again until creamy. 
5. Add anise oil,dissolved baker's ammonia and salt; beat to mix. Gradually beat in enough flour to make a stiff dough.
6. Cut off pieces of dough and work in more flour on a floured work surface until dough is stiff enough to roll out and hold the design of the springer rolling pin or mold. Roll out on a lightly floured board with a  floured rolling pin to1/4-inch thickness. 
7. Press design on dough with a floured springer rolling pin or mold. Cut cookies apart using a floured knife. 
8. Leave on work surface covered with a clean kitchen towel overnight.
9. The next day, heat oven to 325 degrees. Bake cookies on greased baking sheets, until barely  golden on the bottom, 10 to12minutes.
10. Cool on wire racks. Store in tightly covered tins and allow to mellow at least 1week before serving.
11. Note: This recipe also can be made using11/2 teaspoons baking powder (in place of the milk and the baker's ammonia)and anise extract instead of anise oil. 
12. However, the cookies will not be as delicately textured and the anise flavor not quite as rich. 
13. If using baking powder, add it with the salt to thebatter.

Enjoy!

Photo by chelsey.baldock