Looking for a unique and flavorful treat? Look no further than the Australian Aniseed Balls Recipe! These delightful confections are a popular Australian treat that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Parchment paper: Placed on the baking sheet to prevent sticking.
Ingredients
5Eggs
4tspBaking powder
4cupsFlour
1cupCrisco
2cupssugarpowdered
1cup coconut
2tablespoonsbutter
1tablespoonmilk
1teaspoonaniseed extract
Red or black food coloringoptional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
a. Place the baking sheet on the countertop.
b. Tear off a piece of parchment paper and line the baking sheet with it.
In a large mixing bowl, crack open 5 eggs and beat them well.
a. Hold the egg with one hand.
b. Tap it gently on the edge of the bowl to crack it open.
c. Pour the contents of the egg into the bowl.
d. Repeat this process for the remaining eggs.
Add 4 teaspoons of baking powder to the bowl with the beaten eggs and mix well.
a. Measure out 4 teaspoons of baking powder.
b. Sprinkle the baking powder over the eggs in the bowl.
c. Use a whisk or spoon to stir the mixture until well combined.
Gradually add 4 cups of flour to the egg mixture, stirring continuously.
a. Measure out 4 cups of flour.
b. Add a portion of the flour to the egg mixture in the bowl.
c. Stir the mixture with a spoon or spatula until the flour is incorporated.
d. Repeat this process, adding the remaining flour gradually and stirring well after each addition.
In a separate bowl, cream together 1 cup of Crisco and 2 cups of powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
a. Measure out 1 cup of Crisco and place it in the bowl.
b. Measure out 2 cups of powdered sugar and add it to the bowl.
c. Use an electric mixer or a spoon to mix the Crisco and powdered sugar together until they form a creamy mixture.
Add the creamed Crisco and powdered sugar mixture to the bowl with the flour and eggs. Mix well.
a. Pour the creamed mixture from the separate bowl into the bowl with the flour and eggs.
b. Use a spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
Add 1 cup of desiccated coconut, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1 teaspoon of aniseed extract to the dough. Mix thoroughly.
a. Measure out 1 cup of desiccated coconut and add it to the dough.
b. Measure out 2 tablespoons of butter and place it in the bowl.
c. Measure out 1 tablespoon of milk and pour it into the bowl.
d. Measure out 1 teaspoon of aniseed extract and add it to the mixture.
e. Stir the dough vigorously until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
(Optional) If desired, add a few drops of red or black food coloring to the dough and mix well to achieve a colored effect.
a. Open the bottle of food coloring.
b. Hold the bottle over the dough and carefully squeeze a few drops of coloring into the mixture.
c. Use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly mix the coloring into the dough until the desired color is achieved.
Take small portions of the dough and roll them into bite-sized balls using your hands.
a. Pinch off a small piece of dough with your fingers.
b. Roll the dough between your palms to form a round ball shape.
c. Repeat this process, forming multiple balls from the remaining dough.
Place the aniseed balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
a. Pick up one of the dough balls.
b. Gently place it onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
c. Repeat this process
Notes
Work in Small Batches: Divide the dough into small portions for easier handling.Dust Hands with Flour: To prevent sticking, lightly coat your hands with flour before rolling the balls.Chill the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft to handle, refrigerate it for a short while to firm up.Use Food Coloring Sparingly: Add food coloring gradually to achieve the desired shade without overpowering the flavor.Experiment with Flavors: Consider adding other extracts like vanilla or almond for different flavor variations.Toast the Coconut: For added texture and aroma, toast the desiccated coconut before adding it to the dough.Share and Enjoy: Aniseed balls make great gifts or party favors. Share them with friends and family for a delightful treat.