Sweet Orange Florentines

[layers_of_eli]

I really, really want you to make these. These are the best cookies I've ever tasted, seriously!

And I know you're going to see the anise extract in the recipe and say, "Ew, licorice," but DON'T BE LIKE THAT. I actually HATE licorice flavor, but the anise extract here is just enough to give an amazing depth to the orange, not enough to make the

Comments

[a_boleyn]

I love florentines. I used to buy a sleeve of them at a bakery that has now closed and would love to make my own but anise is a deal breaker at this point. :)

[layers_of_eli]

It seriously doesn't have an anise flavor or I wouldn't like them either! You can try without, though, if you must ;) I actually developed these because I had some store-bought ones that were INSANE and I ate about 50 trying to figure out why they tasted the way they did. It finally dawned on me they had a background hint of anise creating the complexity I was tasting and the rest is history.

If you'd ever told me I'd ever willingly put anise in anything, I'd've laughed at you...

[a_boleyn]

As I don't care for the flavour, I doubt I'd buy a bottle of extract just for this dessert. :) Oh well. Thank you for the additional information.

[layers_of_eli]

I should mail you mine. I might make these cookies alone enough to make it worth it. LOL.

[manffa]

I was with you up until 'liquorice', but damnit I want to try these!

[layers_of_eli]

No, they DON'T taste like licorice! Not at all :)

[brother_dour]

Ew, licorice!!!

Just kidding. You know, I used to think that I didn't like licorice. Then I realized that I don't like a strong licorice: black licorice candy? Ugh (except this one kind from Australia that is awesome). Jaegermeister? Double ugh. Yet I am okay with absinthe, fennel (licorice-esque), anise seed... It took me a long time to figure this out. Now, licorice and I are on okay terms (wintergreen, however, is another matter).

So, yes: don't be like that. Give those flavors you thought you disliked another chance!

[a_boleyn]

I recently made 2 attempts at florentines using just almond and vanilla extracts and was quite happy with the results.

http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/155566.html ... rolled into cigars

http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/154691.html ... with dried cranberries and the bottom coated with dark chocolate.

Thank you for reminding me about florentines. I put them on my cooking bucket list and FINALLY gave them a try.

Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to also try the anise ... and fennel. :)

[layers_of_eli]

Your florentines were beautiful!! I loved those posts. They're really rewarding to make, too, I felt.

Don't be scared of the anise -- I actually hate licorice flavor, but this was just the right balance with the orange. I promise it doesn't taste like a licorice chew ;)

[a_boleyn]

I was very proud of my accomplishments as I had put off making the florentines for some time. I guess the time was just right now. :)

[layers_of_eli]

It must have been, because they came out lovely!