Fany Gerson‘s My Sweet Mexico has an entire chapter devoted to dulces de convento or sweets crafted by nuns. Despite their strict lifestyle, the ladies of the convent have been known to relax in the kitchen, creating all sorts of sweet, decadent treats.
Adapted from Delicias de Antaño, a volume on the history and recipes of Mexican convents, these Anise Cookies are flavored with anise (both seed and liqueur), lime zest, and canela, Mexican cinnamon. The shortening-based dough makes for a crumbly cookie and when dipped in the anise syrup and finished with a dusting of cinnamon sugar, they are almost candy-like. The anise-lime-cinnamon combo brings is reminiscent of a digestif—sweet and herbal.
As always with our Cook the Book feature, we have five (5) copies of My Sweet Mexico to give away this week.
Reprinted with permission from My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats. Copyright © 2010 by Fany Gerson, Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, Berkeley, CA.
