Okay, so I decided to make some Tuscan cookies today. I’d seen a few recipes floating around, and they looked pretty simple, so I figured, why not?
Getting Started
First, I gathered all my ingredients. I’m talking flour, sugar, butter, eggs, the usual suspects. I also grabbed some almonds and anise seeds, ’cause those seemed to be the key to that Tuscan flavor.
Mixing it Up
I started by creaming together the butter and sugar. You know, getting it all light and fluffy. Then, I cracked in the eggs, one at a time, and mixed them in until everything was nice and smooth.
Next, I added the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt. I mixed it all together, being careful not to overmix. You want a nice, soft dough, not a tough one.
Adding the Flavor
Here’s where the fun part came in. I tossed in the chopped almonds and anise seeds. The anise seeds give it this really cool, slightly licorice-y flavor. I mixed everything one last time, just to make sure the nuts and seeds were evenly distributed.
Shaping and Baking
Now, this is where it got a little tricky. I divided the dough in half and tried to shape each half into a log. It was kinda sticky, so I floured my hands and the counter to make it a little easier. My logs weren’t exactly perfect, but hey, rustic is in, right?
I placed placed the logs onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I baked at 350F.
- First bake:30 minutes.
- I let the logs cool for about 10 minutes.
- I sliced them into cookies, and baked the slices for another 10 minutes or so.
The Final Result
The cookies came out golden brown and smelling amazing. They were crispy on the edges and slightly chewy in the middle. Perfect with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk, I’d say my first attempt at Tuscan cookies was a success!
