Star Anise Snickerdoodles Recipe | I Can Cook That (2024)

By Kaitlin 10 Comments

Boy did I start my cookie baking late this year! I can’t believe Christmas is just days away. I was recently sent a beautiful carved cinnamon bark box with 3 oz of Vietnam cinnamon by World Vision so I wanted to make a cookie recipe that would feature cinnamon, so I had to make snickerdoodles! This recipe for Star Anise Snickerdoodles from Cooking Light adds ground star anise to traditional sugar cookies for a subtle different take on the classic.

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With a financial contribution, the gift giver can select one of 36 items that you will get while helping a person in need. The cinnamon used in this recipe comes with a donation of $85. The wonderful people at World Vision Gift Catalog have offered to give another Prosperity Cinnamon Box away to a lucky reader!

More after the recipe …

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground star anise (about 2 pods)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

I ground 2 star anise in my Magic Bullet and then measured out 1/2 teaspoon; if you can’t find whole star anise, you can use ground anise as a substitute.

Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, ground star anise, salt, and cream of tartar in a medium sized bowl, whisking to combine.

Add butter to a separate medium bowl and beat with a mixer at medium speed 30 seconds or until smooth.

Add 1 cup sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined.

Add the egg, beating for 1 minute or until well combined.

Add flour mixture and beat at low speed for 30 seconds.

Shape dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour.

Preheat your oven to 375°. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Shape the dough into 24 balls. Roll dough balls in cinnamon mixture, coating completely.

Place balls 3 inches apart on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 11 minutes or until edges are golden, rotating pans after 6 minutes. Cool on pans for 5 minutes.

Remove cookies from pans and cool on wire racks.

Yum! The anise flavor is very subtle but really enhances the snickerdoodles!

I made my boyfriend my guinea pig and had him taste a cookie before I told him the “secret ingredient.” He agreed that they tasted great but you can’t necessarily place anise as the extra flavor you taste. I love this spin on snickerdoodles!

Want to win a the Prosperity box of cinnamon courtesy of World Vision? All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Good luck!

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Star Anise Snickerdoodles

Recipe Type: Dessert, Make Ahead

Author: I Can Cook That

Prep time:

Cook time:

Total time:

Serves: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground star anise (about 2 pods)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. I ground 2 star anise in my Magic Bullet and then measured out 1/2 teaspoon; if you can’t find whole star anise, you can use ground anise as a substitute.
  2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, ground star anise, salt, and cream of tartar in a medium sized bowl, whisking to combine.
  3. Add butter to a separate medium bowl and beat with a mixer at medium speed 30 seconds or until smooth.
  4. Add 1 cup sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined.
  5. Add the egg, beating for 1 minute or until well combined.
  6. Add flour mixture and beat at low speed for 30 seconds.
  7. Shape dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour.
  8. Preheat your oven to 375°. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  9. Shape the dough into 24 balls. Roll dough balls in cinnamon mixture, coating completely.
  10. Place balls 3 inches apart on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 11 minutes or until edges are golden, rotating pans after 6 minutes. Cool on pans for 5 minutes.
  11. Remove cookies from pans and cool on wire racks.
Star Anise Snickerdoodles Recipe | I Can Cook That (2024)

FAQs

What can you cook with star anise? ›

It often is added whole to soups, stews and braising broths, to which it adds a sweet-licorice-peppery flavor. Star anise can be used whole or ground. When whole, it usually is added to liquids destined for a slow simmer or braise. It usually is removed and discarded from the dish before serving.

How much star anise should I use? ›

Stick to a quarter of the star anise measurement recommended in the recipe. Anise seed: This is probably the closest in flavor to star anise. It shares the black licorice flavor of star anise, but is a little softer.

What are the uses of star anise? ›

In foods and beverages, star anise is considered a culinary spice; both the seed and oil are used as flavoring. In manufacturing, the oil is used as a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and toothpaste, and to mask undesirable odors in drug products.

Why do my snickerdoodles taste bitter? ›

Your snickerdoodles may taste bitter if you are sensitive to the taste of cream of tartar. This snickerdoodle cookie recipe without cream of tartar is an excellent option if you fall into that category.

Who should not use star anise? ›

anisatum. 4 Given the difficulty of distinguishing between these species, star anise should not be administered to children. In all infants with acute neurological or digestive symptoms with no known cause, we should inquire about the use of star anise in tea or as gripe water.

Can you use star anise in baking? ›

Ground star anise is more potent and can be added in small quantities to dishes and baked goods. It's a common spice in Indian cuisine, used in the spice blend garam masala, as well as chai tea.

Does star anise make you sleepy? ›

Star anise possesses certain sedative properties attributed to the magnesium content of the spice. It can stimulate the release of certain neurotransmitters that induce relaxation and sleep. It is extremely beneficial for people who have insomnia and irregular sleep patterns.

Does star anise increase estrogen? ›

Hormone-sensitive conditions: Anise might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use anise. This includes breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and others. Surgery: Anise might lower blood sugar levels.

Why is star anise so expensive? ›

Why is star anise so expensive? Like many spices that are considered to be high-end or "pricy", the price tag on star anise is owed to the production and harvesting processes. Star anise is hand-harvested and is limited as to where it can be grown. It is also a beloved spice around the globe and is in demand.

Can you eat too much star anise? ›

Serious side effects, including vomiting and seizures, have been reported in infants and adults given star anise tea. Star anise teas may be contaminated with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which is poisonous. High doses of star anise can also cause serious side effects.

Does star anise go bad? ›

When does star anise expire? Unopened, star anise can last up to 3-4 years in a dry and cool pantry if stored correctly, becoming less potent over time rather than spoiling. Once opened, its shelf life decreases to approximately 1 year.

Does star anise raise blood pressure? ›

For example, a few studies found that star anise could regulate blood pressure, control blood lipid levels, and lower the build-up of plaque in the hearts of mice. The rich antioxidant content in this spice may support heart health by protecting the heart cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage.

Why do my Snickerdoodle cookies get hard? ›

Snickerdoodles might turn out hard if they are overbaked or if the dough is too dry.

Why are my snickerdoodles undercooked? ›

If your oven runs too hot or cold, it can affect the baking time and result in undercooked cookies. Make necessary adjustments to ensure the temperature is accurate. Cookie size and placement: Consider adjusting the size and placement of your cookie dough on the baking sheet.

What dishes is anise used in? ›

Generally speaking, anise is used to flavor a wide variety of foods, both sweet and savory. You'll find anise in a number of types of sausage, various processed meats, soups, stews, and anywhere a licorice flavor might be desired.

What is the difference between star anise and regular anise? ›

Anise seed and star anise come from two entirely different plants with origins in different parts of the world. Both do have similar flavor profiles because they share the essential oil anethole, though star anise is considered more bitter and herbaceous.

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