Orange Anise Seed Squares

Brighten up your dessert table with these irresistibly fragrant Orange Anise Seed Squares—a delightful fusion of zesty orange and warm, licorice-like anise seeds. Perfectly soft and buttery, these squares are made with fresh orange zest and juice, giving them a vibrant citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with the subtle crunch of anise seeds. The recipe features a crumbly, shortbread-like texture and is easy to prepare in under an hour, making it ideal for both casual snacking and elegant entertaining. Finished with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, these squares are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Whether you’re looking for a unique holiday treat, a tea-time indulgence, or a simple dessert with a sophisticated twist, these Orange Anise Seed Squares are sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Anise seeds
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 0.25 cup Fresh orange juice
• 2 Large eggs
• 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and anise seeds until evenly combined.

Step 3

Add in the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until the texture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse sand.

Step 4

Stir in the orange zest to evenly distribute the citrus flavor throughout the mixture.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice and eggs until well blended. Gradually pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until a soft dough forms.

Step 6

Press the dough evenly into the prepared 8x8-inch pan, making sure it is level and reaches all the edges.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into 16 squares.

Step 9

Dust the Orange Anise Seed Squares lightly with powdered sugar for a finishing touch before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	714.6 grams (714.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2560

Total Fat 109.90g	141%
Saturated Fat 64.20g	321%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 630mg	210%
Sodium 1791mg	78%
Total Carbohydrate 364.40g	133%
Dietary Fiber 9.20g	33%
Total Sugars 171.10g
Protein 39.70g	79%

Vitamin D 80IU	400%
Calcium 173mg	13%
Iron 16mg	89%
Potassium 663mg	14%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.0%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 55.9%