CINNAMON STARS

Steps:

• Stir together the almonds, cinnamon, and lemon zest until combined.
• Beat the egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Slowly sift in the confectioner's sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture is stiff. Set aside 1/3 cup of the egg white mixture for the glaze. Fold in the almond mixture.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (170 degrees C). Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a surface that has been sprinkled with confectioners' sugar. Using a 2 1/2-inch star cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place them on the cookie sheets.
• To make the glaze, add the lemon juice to the reserved egg white mixture, stirring until smooth. Brush the tops of the cookies lightly with the glaze. (If the glaze starts to thicken, add a few more drops of lemon juice.)
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. When done, they will be light brown and soft in the center. Remove and cool on wire racks.

ANISE SEED-CINNAMON COOKIES: BISCOCHITOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.
• In a small bowl combine sugar, orange zest, and sherry, and set aside to let flavors infuse the sugar. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, anise seed, and salt. In another bowl, beat the lard with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add lard and infused sugar to flour mixture and knead until it forms a cohesive mass. On a floured surface, roll dough to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Cut into rectangles and pinch 1 of the short sides into deditos (little toes) which will spread apart when baking.
• For the topping, combine cinnamon with sugar in a small bowl. Brush rectangles with beaten egg and sprinkle with topping. Transfer cookies with a spatula to baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes until crispy and edges are just beginning to turn golden. Serve with cota tea or atole.

CINNAMON STARS: ZIMTSTERNE (GERMANY)

Steps:

• Sift the confectioners' sugar.
• Put 1/2 cup of the sifted confectioners' sugar, 10 ounces (3 heaping cups) of the almonds and all the cinnamon in a food processor. Process until the nuts are finely ground, with just a few larger pieces.
• Whip the egg whites in a large, clean bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until they hold soft peaks, about 1 minute. Gradually add the remaining confectioners' sugar while whipping, until the whites are thick, creamy and somewhat stiff, about 2 minutes more. Set aside 2/3 cup of this meringue for topping the cookies.
• Fold the ground almond mixture and the lemon zest into the remaining meringue to make a stiff dough.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Lay a sheet of parchment or waxed paper on the work surface and lightly dust with confectioners' sugar. Turn the dough out onto the dusted paper, flatten and dust with more sugar as needed, and then lay another sheet of parchment or waxed paper on top. Roll the dough between the papers until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Flip the dough over and gently peel off a sheet of the paper. For ease when cutting, lay the paper back on the dough, flip again and gently pull off the other side of the paper so that the dough is fully released from it.
• Cut cookies with a 3-inch star cutter and place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. (Excess dough can be rerolled.) Use a small spoon, brush or offset spatula to spread the reserved meringue over the top of each cookie, taking care not to let the meringue drip over the sides. Press or sprinkle remaining sliced almonds in a decorative pattern into the meringue.
• Bake cookies until bottoms are light golden brown and meringue is set and crisp, about 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the oven door to release heat and dry cookies out in the oven for 10 more minutes.

STAR ANISE-HONEY COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat sugar and honey until blended. Beat in eggs. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and star anise; gradually beat into sugar mixture., Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 1-1/2-in. star-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets., Bake 4-6 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

TRADITIONAL MEXICAN ANISE COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream 1 cup sugar, butter and shortening in a large bowl til light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg, sherry vanilla and anise til well combined.
• In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter-egg mixture til well mixed.
• Divide dough in half.
• Wrap each half in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or til dough is firm, but is still quite workable.
• Preheat oven to 350' degrees F.
• Combine cinnamon with remaining sugar in a small bowl; set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half of dough 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut into desired shapes, re-rolling scraps just once.
• Place on ungreased cookie sheets and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or til golden.
• Remove to wire racks to cool.

CINNAMON ANISE TEA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients, except tea bags, and bring to a boil.
• Allow to simmer for three minutes.
• Strain.
• Pour liquid into serving cups with one tea bag and allow to steep for three minutes or to desired strength.
• Serve hot.