Source: Naturally Sweet, by Fran Raboff & Lynn Bassler, ©1993, The Crossing Press

Sugar cookies with anise seed flavoring.

Servings

1.5 cup Flour, all purpose, white, unbleached, enriched
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1.25 tbsp anise seed
0.25 tsp salt
0.5 cup chopped dates , well packed
1.5 oz unsweetened apple juice frozen concentrate , 3 Tablespoons, at room temperature
0.5 cup Margarine, 80% fat
1 eggs
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1 eggs

1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray 2 cookie sheets.
2 In a large bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, anise, and salt.
3 In a blender or food processor, puree the dates and 3 tablespoons apple juice concentrate.
4 Blend in the margarine. Blend in the egg and lemon rind, just stirring to blend.
5 Form into a ball, adding more flour if the mixture is too sticky. If necessary, chill the dough until it is firm enough to roll.
6 Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch on a lightly floured board. Cut into fancy shapes.
7 Place on the cookie sheets and brush with an egg wash made by beating the remaining egg with remaining apple juice concentrate.
8 Bake cookies for 10 to 15 minutes. Let cookies cool briefly before removing to wire racks to cool completely.