Anise Seed Rolls

This is one of my favorite roll recipes. Everyone gets excited when I tell them I'm making these for Thanksgiving. They are sweet and have just the slightest hint of anise. They're definitely worth the work, and I hope you love these as much as my family does!

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 169 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅔ cup shortening
• 2 cups milk
• 8 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 1 quart water, divided
• 2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons anise seeds

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Pour the milk into a pan, and heat just until bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm (110 degrees F/45 degrees C).

Step 3

Dissolve yeast in 1 cup lukewarm (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) water. Allow to rest 5 minutes.

Step 4

Beat the shortening with the sugar, eggs, salt, and anise seeds in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the milk and yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the flour, stirring to make a soft dough (dough should not be sticky). Add more flour if needed. Cover bowl with a clean cloth, and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

Step 5

Lightly grease 2 baking sheets. Punch down dough, divide into two pieces, and roll out each piece into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into 8x1 inch strips. Twist each strip into a simple knot, and place on prepared baking sheet. Cover with a clean cloth, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Step 6

Pour 1 quart water into a pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Dip each roll quickly into the boiling water, and return to baking sheet.

Step 7

Bake rolls in preheated oven until tops are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.