Anise Icebox Cookies

Nate has adapted since marrying into my Scandinavian family.  He eats lefse, and has tried kumla and oostkaka.  He's practically a Swede, but he did ask for a German Christmas cookie this year.  He's been taking about how spicy and yummy the cookies he grew up eating were.  So, my mom found this recipe for me to try.

They were a cinch to put together.  I liked how one night I could make the dough and the next morning I could bake them up. 

The taste is not my style of cookie (I prefer sweet and soft), but they are Nate's.  He said it's just how he remembers the 'cookies of his youth' tasted like.  So, I'm taking that as a compliment!

Anise Icebox Cookies
found in December/January 2005 Taste of Home

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon aniseed

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars.  Beat in egg.  Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves; gradually add to the creamed mixture.  Stir in pecans and aniseed.  Shape into two 10" rolls; wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for four hours.
Unwrap; cut 1/4" off the ends of each roll.  Cut dough into 1/4" slices.  Place 2" apart on baking sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.