Anise-Mandarin Cookies

Ingredients

• 150 g soft butter
• 150 g sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 untreated lemon (zest)
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tsp ground anise
• 1 tbsp rum
• 70 g ground almond kernels
• 250 g flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 40 half, peeled almond kernels
• powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. 1.

   Cream the butter. Gradually fold in sugar, egg yolks, lemon zest, salt, anise and rum. Mix the nuts with flour and baking powder, add to the mixture, knead quickly into a smooth dough and cover for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

2. 2.

   Line one or two baking trays with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) fan‑fry.

3. 3.

   Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 2 mm, cut small squares (3x3 cm) or use a cookie cutter. Place on the prepared tray, put one almond in the center of each square and bake for about 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

4. 4.

   Remove, cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.