mrs. fiegl's cut out cookies

5 Pinches
Rochester, NY
Updated on Feb 19, 2018

You are now wondering why on earth would you use amonia to bake! Well, it's a European tradition that is used to keep baked goods fresher, longer. It does not affect the flavor of the cookies. The baking amonia is available at KING ARTHUR FLOUR as well as the anise extract. The lard will be with the shortenings.( As far as the anise goes, I tend to go a bit overboard with the anise) It makes a TON of cookies-they freeze beautifully--I make small bags of cookies and put them into a larger bag I keep in the freezer-great for unexpected guests!

prep time 1 Hr 30 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Bake
yield At least 10 dozen small cookies, less if they are larger

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons baking amonia
  • 1 pound lard
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 - eggs
  • 2 teaspoons anise extract
  • 9-10 cups flour

How To Make mrs. fiegl's cut out cookies

  • Step 1
    Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a VERY LARGE bowl heat together the milk and baking amonia (it really "expands"). Note that the amonia SMELLS like amonia but bakes off-don't inhale too much!!! Let cool while continuing recipe until ready to use
  • Step 2
    In mixing bowl, beat lard (at room temp). Add the sugar and eggs, one at a time. Then add the milk/amonia mix and beat to blend. Add the anise extract-be sure it's not "flavoring"-must be the real thing. I tend to be heavy handed with the anise because I like it!
  • Step 3
    Then start to slowly add flour, 1 cup at a time until dough is easy to handle. Do NOT use more than 10 cups as it will make the dough too "floury".
  • Step 4
    Roll dough onto a well- floured surface (the rolling pin too). I cover the rest of the dough as I roll it out. I use very small cookie cutters so they are "just a bite". Place on parchment paper on cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly brown on the edges. PLEASE NOTE; WHEN YOU OPEN THE OVEN THE FIRST TIME THE AMONIA SMELL IS RATHER OVER POWERING-it dissapates quickly.
  • Step 5
    Cool on racks. Frost with desired icing. I usually use a box of confectionary sugar, a bit of white vanilla and enough milk to make it like a thin glaze. Then decorate.

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