Anise Buns

A cold and rainy morning like today leads me directly to the temptation for something sweet! Anise Bun, is one of my favorite for winter time.So soft, sweet and with a unique touch of Anise flavor.

Anise Seed --Pimpinella anisum--not to be confused with the Star Anise, which has a stronger taste and action, Anise Seed is the Small seed and it's perfect for pastries.In 'Biblical Times', Anise was used with other spices for the paying of taxes.And Romans would eat spicy cakes containing anise seed after a rich meal. 

The main ingredient for this recipe is Anise Seed and is the perfect complement that gives these little buns a distinguished sweet aroma!



 

Anise Buns



Ingredients:



4 ½ C. / 500 gr All-purpose flour / Plain Flour

2 Eggs

1 1/4 C. / 125 gr sugar

4 Tbsp./ 50 gr unsalted butter, room temperature

2 packets dry yeast or 2 Tbsp./ 28 gr fresh yeast

4 Tbsp. milk powder

1 C./ 200 ml of warm water

1 tsp. salt



Filling



4 Tbsp. / 50 gr Unsalted butter, melted

1 ½ C. / 300 gr Soft Brown Sugar

Cinnamon powder, as much as you like

Anise Seed, as much as you like



Syrup



4 Tbsp. / 50 gr unsalted butter

1 ½ C. Brown Sugar





Preparation:



Dissolved yeast in the lukewarm water and let it rest for a couple minutes.



Place the flour on a board or in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and crack the eggs into it. Add the remaining ingredients (salt, sugar, butter and powder milk). Using your fingers, mix all the ingredients and start incorporating the yeast-water mixture, a little at a time, until everything is well combined.

Knead the piece of dough together for a couple of minutes. * If necessary, add more or less flour?you should get a soft dough texture.



Cover with a cloth and let it stand for 1 hour in a warm place where there is no air flow. * Dough should grow twice the size.



On a lightly floured surface, roll out all the dough to a large rectangle--until it reaches an inch thick. Using a pastry brush, paint all over the dough with melted butter, then add the fine brown sugar, cinnamon powder and anise seed. Roll up the dough into a cylinder and cut into slices (about 2 inch. approx.).Place buns (closely to each other) in a buttered baking tray, cover and let it stand for 1 more hour.



Preheat the oven at 350 F /180 C and bake for about 10?15 minutes or until golden. Make the syrup with the butter and sugar. Removed Buns from the oven and bathe them with the brown sugar syrup.



 *En Español