JANEŽEVI UPOGNJENCI • Anise Arched Cookies • Old Traditional Slovenian Recipe

This is such a nostalgic traditional Slovenian recipe. These cookies will always remind me of my Stara Mama (Grandmother). They were a staple and always found on her dessert trays. The anise seeds make them deliciously fragrant, they are melt in your mouth, yet brittle at the same time! I can’t wait for you to give them a try!

Watch step by step here: https://youtu.be/CxxAbjUtW3U

Recipe (* This recipe requires a kitchen scale)
❥ 4 whole eggs
❥ flour (the amount in weight of 3 eggs being used)
❥ sugar (the amount of weight of 4 eggs being used)
❥ 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
❥ Anise seeds

• We begin by weighing 3 eggs - in my case they weighed 145g. Place bowl aside
• Since my 3 eggs weighed 145g -- I weighed the same amount for the flour. Whisk the flour and set bowl aside.
• Add 1 more egg to the bowl with the 3 eggs that were weighed in the first step - in this case my 4 eggs weighed 196g.
• Weigh out the same amount of sugar as for 4 eggs. In this case, my 4 eggs weighed 196g, and then set bowl of sugar aside
• 1 TBSP of lemon zest

Directions

1.  Beat 4 eggs, lemon zest and sugar on medium for 10 minutes. We mix until you get a really nice thick consistency
2. Using a hand whisk, wooden spoon or spatula gently mix in the flour 2-3 tablespoons at a time, until it is all well combined and you have a really smooth consistency.
3. Prepare your baking tray by spreading butter, baking spray, or parchment paper. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and position the oven rack to the center position.
4. Place 1 level teaspoon of batter onto the baking tray spreading it in a circular motion. Ensure that the cookies are all even and flat, especially in the center of each cookie. They will spread in the baking process, so leave some space between each cookie.
5. Sprinkle desired amount of anise seeds on top of each cookie
6. Place them into the oven to bake for 7-8 minutes, bake until you see the browning around the rim of the cookie

* Ensure that you have your shot glasses by the stove and ready to go because you will need to work very quickly and place them into each glass as soon as they come out of the oven. They will harden very fast. If this happens DO NOT PANICK place the tray back into the oven for a few seconds so they soften up again and continue this step with the remaining cookies. Allowing them to curve into their arched shape, this takes about 45 seconds. Remove and place on a cooling rack.

 

** When adding your next batch onto the baking tray ensure that the tray has completely cooled down and that it has been buttered again. 

 

I want to see your delicious photos!

I hope this recipe becomes a new favourite for you and your family. If you make something and post it on social media, please tag #sloveniankitchen or @slovenska_kuhinja so I can see it on Facebook and Instagram too! 

Lots of love, 

Michelle Pušič Ryall XO