Anis & Tirggel Shapes

What are Änis Guetzli?

Änis Guetzli are a traditional Swiss Christmas treat. They are cookies made from flour, butter, sugar, eggs and anise. The dough is rolled out and cut into various shapes, such as stars or hearts. The Guetzli are baked in the oven until they are golden brown. They have an intense anise flavor and are a popular sweet during the Christmas season in Switzerland. 

How to make Änis Guetzli?

To make Änis Guetzli you need the following ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 125 g powdered sugar
- 200 g soft butter
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons ground anise
- 1 pinch of salt
Preparation:
1. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and add the powdered sugar, soft butter, egg, ground anise and a pinch of salt.
2. knead all the ingredients well with your hands until you get a homogeneous dough.
Form the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (convection oven).
5. Roll out the dough on a floured work surface to a thickness of about 5 mm.
6. Cut out the dough with a Guetzliformer or a glass with a diameter of approx. 5 cm.
7. place the Guetzli on a baking tray lined with baking paper and allow the Guetzli to dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours.
8. bake the Änis Guetzli in the preheated oven for approx. 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
9. allow the Guetzli to cool completely before serving.

What is the best way to store Änis Guetzli?

 Änis Guetzli can best be stored in an airtight container or in a sealed cookie tin to protect them from moisture and oxygen. It is important that the Guetzli are completely cooled before storing to avoid mold growth. A dark, cool and dry place such as a pantry or kitchen cabinet is best for storing Änis Guetzli. However, avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as this can cause the Guetzli to change their consistency and flavor. If you want to store the Guetzli for a longer period of time, you can also freeze them in a freezer bag. However, make sure that they are completely defrosted before eating them.

What are Änismodels or Springerle?

Springerle are traditional German Christmas cookies. They are made from a dough of flour, eggs, sugar and anise and are known for their characteristic shape. The cookies are embossed with special dies that often feature religious or Christmas motifs, such as angels or nativity figures. The embossed cookies are then dried for several hours before being baked. Springerle have a hard consistency and are often served with coffee or tea.

What are tirggels?

Züri Tirggel are traditional Swiss honey cakes from the Zurich region. They are made from flour, honey, sugar and spices such as anise, coriander and cardamom. The cookies have a typical flat, round shape and are embossed with elaborate patterns. Züri Tirggel are traditionally baked and eaten at Christmas time. They are known for their crunchy bite and intense honey-spice flavor.

What are tirggels?

To make tirggel you need the following ingredients:
- 250 g honey
- 250 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 500 g flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cardamom
Preparation:
1. Heat the honey and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Stir the mixture well and let it cool down a bit.
2. Put the eggs in a bowl and whisk them lightly. Add the cooled honey-and-sugar syrup and whisk well.
3. Add the flour, cinnamon and cardamom to the honey-and-sugar mixture and mix well until a dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured work surface until it is about 5 mm thick.
5. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
6.Bake the Tirggel in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
7. Remove the baked Tirggel from the oven and let them cool completely before serving.
Tirggel are traditional Swiss pastries and are often eaten at Christmas time. They are hard and crispy and have a sweet, spicy taste.