Orange Anise Seed Squares
Brighten up your dessert table with these irresistibly fragrant Orange Anise Seed Squares—a delightful fusion of zesty orange and warm, licorice-like anise seeds. Perfectly soft and buttery, these squares are made with fresh orange zest and juice, giving them a vibrant citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with the subtle crunch of anise seeds. The recipe features a crumbly, shortbread-like texture and is easy to prepare in under an hour, making it ideal for both casual snacking and elegant entertaining. Finished with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, these squares are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Whether you’re looking for a unique holiday treat, a tea-time indulgence, or a simple dessert with a sophisticated twist, these Orange Anise Seed Squares are sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Anise seeds
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 0.25 cup Fresh orange juice
- 2 Large eggs
- 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and anise seeds until evenly combined.
Add in the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until the texture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse sand.
Stir in the orange zest to evenly distribute the citrus flavor throughout the mixture.
In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice and eggs until well blended. Gradually pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until a soft dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared 8x8-inch pan, making sure it is level and reaches all the edges.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into 16 squares.
Dust the Orange Anise Seed Squares lightly with powdered sugar for a finishing touch before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2560 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 109.9 g | 141% | |
| Saturated Fat | 64.2 g | 321% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 630 mg | 210% | |
| Sodium | 1790 mg | 78% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 364.4 g | 133% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.2 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 171.1 g | ||
| Protein | 39.7 g | 79% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 172 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 16.0 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 663 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
