Tea Cake Recipes - Aniseed Dreams Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup/125 g blanched almonds

• 1 cup/200 g granulated sugar

• 2 tbsp all-purpose/plain flour

• 2 large egg whites

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp almond extract/essence

• 1 tbsp ground aniseeds

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F/170°C/gas 3. Spread the nuts on a large baking sheet.  Toast for 7 minutes, or until lightly golden.  

2. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F /190°C/ gas 5. Line a cookie sheet with rice paper.

3. Transfer the almonds to a food processor, add the sugar, and process until finely ground. Mix the almond mixture and flour in a medium bowl.

4. Beat the egg whites and salt in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold in the dry ingredients and almond extract. Fit a pastry bag with a 1-inch (2.5-cm) plain tip.

5. Fill the pastry bag, twist the opening tightly closed, and squeeze out 1-inch (2.5-cm) stars spacing 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the prepared cookie sheet.

6. Sprinkle with the aniseeds. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until pale gold. Let cool completely.