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In Search of Anise Flavoring to Make Grandma’s Cookies
An ancient spice has been part of my holiday memories for 60 years
People have strong opinions about anise, but for me, a cutout Christmas cookie does not speak of home unless I can taste the licorice flavor of anise.
My maternal grandmother had a wonderful cutout cookie recipe. Baking, decorating, and eating these yummy treats were an integral part of our holidays.
When she baked them, her entire kitchen and dining room were filled with seasonal shapes that my sister and I helped to frost and decorate. Of course, the best part was eating them.
I’m reaching back many years for those memories. If alive today, my Grandma would be 114 years old. She died at 91, and we’ve been many years without her.
The cookie recipe survived, although I lost it for some time — years, in fact — as I moved to several different states, had a family of my own, and started my own baking traditions.
I looked all over for it, and never found it, until this fall. It was right where I thought it was — in my recipe box! I swear I had looked there.
I did, didn’t I?
It’s a difficult recipe to make for several reasons. Firstly, the dough is extremely soft, even…
