Cool anise flavored drop cookies will heighten the holiday season. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening, sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in the anise extract. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the wet ingredients. Scoop out spoonfuls and roll into balls.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg/sugar mixture, and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in the anise seed. Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls onto well-greased and well-floured or parchment-lined baking sheets, shaping the dough into rounds with a spoon, if necessary.
Traditional Italian anisette cookies are sweet with a distinct flavour and a soft cake-like texture. My low-carb version is slightly sweet, crunchy, and has a pleasant anise flavour that is not overpowering. I also added some ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
While macarons are made with only egg whites and almond flour, Anise Drops are made with whole eggs and white wheat flour. There are also some subtle differences in the method of making both of these cookies, but the results are more or less the same. When done right, Anise Drops are delightful little cookies.