Celtic Knot Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons anise seeds
• 2 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 2 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Confectioners' sugar, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread anise and caraway seeds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool completely. Coarsely grind toasted seeds with a mortar and pestle, or in a spice grinder.
2. 2
   In a medium bowl, whisk together ground seeds, flour, and salt. Set aside.
3. 3
   In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar on medium-high speed until well combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed, then beat in vanilla. Continue beating until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture until just combined.
4. 4
   Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead gently. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a 1-inch-thick disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight.
5. 5
   To make knots, measure 1 heaping tablespoon of dough; roll into a ball. Transfer to a floured surface; roll into a rope about 12 inches in length and 3/8 inch in diameter. Shape rope into a trefoil design on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press dough at ends and at each intersection to adhere. Measure 1 scant tablespoon of dough; roll into a ball. Transfer to a floured surface; roll into a rope about 8 inches in length and 3/8 inch in diameter. Form into a circle about 3 inches in diameter, pinching ends to form a ring. Center ring on top of trefoil design and gently press to adhere. Repeat with remaining dough (4 to 6 cookies per sheet). Freeze until firm, 25 to 30 minutes.
6. 6
   Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until lightly golden brown on edges, 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving, if desired.