Delicious Anise Hyssop Drop Cookies Recipe

As soon as you enter my kitchen, the warm aroma of anise hyssop flowers fills the air. These beautiful purple flowers are blooming at their peak and I must make the most of this fragrant herb’s harvest. One of my favorite uses for anise hyssop is in a batch of drop cookies that I have been perfecting over the years. I am so excited to share this recipe with you today.

These cookies are perfect for any occasion, from a cozy night in to a summer barbecue or family gathering. They are easy to whip up and can be customized to fit your unique flavor preferences. But before we dive into the recipe, let me tell you a little bit about anise hyssop and why it’s such a special ingredient.

Also known as Agastache, anise hyssop is a stunning plant that has been used for centuries in cooking and medicine. The leaves of the plant have a licorice-like flavor, while the flowers give off a sweet aroma with hints of mint and cloves. Not only does anise hyssop taste and smell amazing, but it also has numerous health benefits – many people use it to relieve coughs and sore throats or brew tea with it to boost their immune system.

Now that you know all about anise hyssop, let’s get started on making these delicious flower drop cookies. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Have you ever tried the unique flavor of anise hyssop? If not, this recipe is the perfect way to experience its deliciousness! Anise hyssop is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the mint family and has a mildly sweet, floral, and licorice-like taste. This cookie recipe blends the subtle anise flavor with sweet sugar and vanilla for a delicate taste and aroma that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

But what makes this recipe even better is the use of fresh anise hyssop flowers added to the cookie dough. These tiny flowers create a lovely drop effect on each cookie and add extra flavors to enhance the cookies’ overall taste. Moreover, it’s not just their phenomenal taste that makes them so irresistible; besides being edible, these flowers have many health benefits. Anise hyssop tea is used to relieve coughs and sore throats, while its leaves are effective in treating gas and indigestion.

So why would you love this recipe? Because not only do these anise hyssop flower drop cookies taste fantastic, but they are also visually appealing, diverse in their benefits, and easy to make. They require only simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder – most of which you may already have in your pantry! They don’t require any special equipment or techniques, so even beginners can master these cookies with ease.

Moreover, this recipe provides excellent opportunities for substitutions and variations: try using hyssop leaves instead of the flowers or agastache (another herb from the same family) to change up the flavor profile. Or swap out frosting for some extra anise hyssop drops if you prefer your cookies simple yet still delightful.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a satisfying treat with unique flavors and many benefits – this recipe is for you. So grab some anise hyssop flowers and get ready for some deliciously floral treats!

Ingredient List

Let’s gather our ingredients!

• 1 cup anise hyssop leaves, chopped and packed tightly
• 1/2 cup anise hyssop flowers, florets removed from stem
• 3 cups flour (sifted)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (anise hyssop recommended)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

The anise hyssop is a special ingredient in this recipe. This herb is also known as agastache, and it has a sweet licorice flavor that gives the cookies a unique floral taste. The leaves are edible, and more commonly used to make tea or cough drops. The beautiful purple flowers have many health benefits and can also be used in baking and frosting.

We’ll combine this flavorful herb with the classic cookie ingredients of flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs and vanilla extract to create a delightful anise hyssop drop cookie.

The Recipe How-To

Once you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start making these delicious anise hyssop drop cookies. Follow the steps below to make sure you get that perfect texture and taste:

Step 1: Preheat and prepare

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While your oven is heating up, line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients

In a separate mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and a sprinkle of salt. Anise hyssop flowers give these cookies their unique flavor so be sure to sift the dry ingredients so there are no bits left.

Step 3: Beat wet ingredients

In a large bowl, beat together 1 cup of sugar and ½ cup of butter until the combination becomes like cream. Add in an egg and two teaspoons of vanilla extract and continue beating this mixture for approximately five minutes.

Step 4: Combine both mixtures

Slowly incorporate the dry mixture with your egg mixture, beating continuously until it becomes thoroughly mixed. Mix in some chopped anise hyssop flowers, about a cup or more depending on your taste preference.

Step 5: Drop the batter

Scoop about two teaspoonsful of batter using a small spoon and place each on to the prepared cookie sheets. Space them about an inch apart to ensure that they don’t become one big cookie.

Step 6: Bake

Bake your cookies at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes or until they turn slightly golden brown. Take out of the oven carefully and allow them to cool down for at least five minutes.

Pro tip: If you want your cookies to be crispier, add one more egg into the recipe whenever you’re preparing them.

With these simple steps, you’ll be producing mouth-watering treats that everyone will enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations

You can easily modify this Anise Hyssop Drop Cookies Recipe to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few substitution and variation ideas:

– Hyssop: If you don’t have anise hyssop, you can still make delicious cookies using regular hyssop or even dried hyssop. Simply adjust the amount to 1/4 cup of hyssop flowers or leaves, and add 1 teaspoon of anise extract or oil to enhance the anise flavor.

– Sugar: To reduce sugar intake, use honey or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar. You can also use brown sugar for a deeper flavor.

– Flour: For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of wheat flour.

– Frosting: Instead of using anise extract in the frosting, you can use other flavors such as lemon, orange, or maple. You can also skip the frosting altogether and enjoy the cookies as they are.

– Shape: If you prefer a different shape, make these cookies as Anise Hyssop Whoopie Pies by sandwiching two cookies with sweetened whipped cream or buttercream frosting.

– Herbs: For a unique twist on this recipe, try using other herbs such as lavender, rosemary, or thyme instead of hyssop. These herbs will add their own flavors and aromas that pair well with the sweetness of the cookies.

Regardless of any modifications made to this recipe, every bite will still be just as scrumptious!

Serving and Pairing

Once you make a batch of these delightful Anise Hyssop Drop Cookies, you’ll likely want to savor them slowly rather than scarf them down. These cookies aren’t like standard sugar cookies; they stand out due to their unique flavor.

One way to enjoy these drop cookies is with a cup of hot tea. Like the herb itself, these cookies have a sweet, licorice-like taste that pairs well with an herbal tea, especially if it has a similar flavor profile to Hyssop Flower or anise seed.

For something more indulgent, slather on some frosting inspired by the same aromatic notes as the web recipe ingredients. To make frosting with an Anise Hyssop flavor, start by steeping fresh anise hyssop florets in hot cream or milk for 5 minutes. Afterward, strain the herbs and add a small amount of your preferred anise extract or oil. Incorporate powdered sugar until you get the consistency you like. Once it’s done, use this frosting to finish off your Anise Drop Cookies for extra sweetness.

These flowers are edible and known for being used as a garnish or ingredient in many whoopie pies recipes or drinks. So why not try experimenting and see what foods complement these lovely cookies? Maybe balance it out with savory dishes like cheese balls, blistered tomatoes or sizzling beef paties that will balance bitterness and sweetness of the herb. The world’s your oyster(=the world is yours to conquer)- so discover which pairing works best for you!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

When it comes to these Anise Hyssop Drop Cookies, you’ll be happy to hear that they can be made ahead of time and stored for later! You can store the cookie dough in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking, which is especially handy if you are short on time but still want freshly baked cookies.

Once the cookies are baked, they will keep for about a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, you can freeze them. Simply wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap or foil and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

To reheat these tasty treats, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the cookies on a baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes or until they are warm and just starting to crisp up again. Alternatively, you can microwave the cookies for about 10 seconds if you’re short on time.

Just remember, while these cookies are great for making ahead and storing, they are best eaten fresh out of the oven while still warm and soft, with their delicate anise hyssop flavor wafting through your senses. So grab one (or two) as soon as they come out of the oven and enjoy all their deliciousness!

Tips for Perfect Results

Baking is both a science and an art, and the smallest deviations from the recipe can produce vastly different results. Here are some tips to help ensure that your anise hyssop drop cookies come out perfectly every time.

Firstly, make sure you accurately measure your ingredients, particularly the flour. Too much flour will make your cookies dry and crumbly, while too little flour will make them flat and greasy. To accurately measure flour, use a spoon to fill the measuring cup and level off the top with a straight edge.

Secondly, it’s essential not to over-mix the cookie dough. Over-mixing will cause the gluten in the flour to develop, leading to tough cookies. Mix until just combined and no pockets of dry ingredients remain.

Next, when baking your cookies, it is important to keep an eye on the oven temperature. Preheat your oven according to recipe instructions and invest in an oven thermometer to ensure it’s at the correct temperature. An oven that is too hot will cause over-browning and drying out of the edges.

When placing cookie dough onto baking sheets, place cookie dough drops at least 2 inches apart so that they have room to spread without touching one another. And finally, once baked, let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This will allow them to set and prevent them from breaking apart.

By following these simple tips, you can make perfect anise hyssop drop cookies every time!

FAQ

As a baker, I understand that there may be common questions and concerns when it comes to baking with flowers such as hyssop. In this section, I will address some of the frequently asked questions to help you make the best version of these delicious anise hyssop drop cookies.

What can I do with anise hyssop?

One way to add a unique twist to your salads is by drying some flowers and using them as a flavorful topping. This delightful addition is sure to pleasantly surprise your taste buds. Additionally, using fresh blooms to garnish your desserts, such as ice cream, fruit, or cakes with frosting, is a visually appealing and delicious treat.

What makes a drop cookie a drop cookie?

Drop cookies refer to a type of cookie that is made by spooning cookie batter onto a baking sheet. They are generally easy to make and do not require much effort or precision. Many widely enjoyed cookies like sugar and oatmeal raisin fall under this category.

What are the health benefits of anise hyssop?

Anise hyssop can have medicinal benefits when added to tea. Its expectorant properties can help relieve congestion by clearing mucus from the lungs and airways. A cold-infusion of anise hyssop can also help alleviate chest pain caused by excessive coughing. Combining anise hyssop with licorice can provide relief and treat respiratory infections and bronchitis.

Are anise hyssop leaves edible?

Fresh hyssop, with its edible flowers and leaves, is a versatile herb that can add a delicate touch to various dishes. You can incorporate the fresh herb in salads, pastas, and soups, just like other tender herbs. The flowers, on the other hand, make an excellent garnish, adding color, texture, and a hint of flavor to your plate. To get your hands on fresh hyssop, consider checking out local farmers’ markets or gardens.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, making Anise Hyssop Drop Cookies is not only a fun baking experience but also a great way to try out new flavors and experiment with different ingredients. With the right combination of hyssop flowers and anise extract, you can create delicious cookies that will please even the pickiest eaters.

Moreover, there are several health benefits of consuming hyssop tea or anise drops. Hyssop is known to help soothe coughs, reduce anxiety, and improve digestion. Similarly, anise seed is said to aid digestion and also possesses soothing properties.

So why not try this recipe out for yourself? You might discover a new favorite dessert and improve your health at the same time. Don’t be afraid to make substitutions or variations to suit your preferences.

Remember to follow the tips and recommendations listed in the article for perfect results. From serving suggestions to storing recommendations, we’ve got you covered.

At the end of the day, making Anise Hyssop Drop Cookies is about more than just satisfying your sweet tooth – it’s about exploring new flavors, trying new things, and improving your overall wellbeing. So go ahead and give it a try – who knows what exciting culinary adventure might await you!

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