Ingredients
1 1/4 teaspoons anise seeds
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pure anise extract
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Confectioners' sugar (optional)
Preparation
Heat a nonstick pizzelle iron. In a small skillet, toast anise seeds over high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer seeds to a spice grinder, let cool, and finely grind. Scrape into a medium bowl; whisk together with flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and granulated sugar until well combined. Whisk in vanilla and anise extracts. Slowly add cooled butter in a steady stream, whisking continuously, until batter is smooth. Stir in flour mixture until just combined (do not overmix).
Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe about 2 tablespoons batter in a circle around the center of each pattern on the heated pizzelle iron. Close and seal with clasp. Cook until golden brown, about 45 seconds. Using a small spatula, release and remove cookie. Using kitchen shears or a 4 1/2-inch ring mold, trim any ragged edges, if desired. Transfer cookie to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining batter. Dust cooled cookies with confectioners’ sugar, if desired.
