250 start recipes

These deliciously cheesy tartlets are great at many occasions. Handy appetizer or tasty breakfast. Make them in advance, put in the refrigerator or freezer, reheat before eating them; so these yummy tartlets can be also served at lunch or dinner.

This Biscochito Cake is a modern twist on New Mexico’s traditional biscochito cookie, featuring warm notes of star anise, a tender crumb, and a sweet cinnamon-sugar topping. Paired with a vibrant peach compote, it’s a comforting yet elegant dessert that’s easy to prepare and ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a cozy treat.

Hot mulled spice mix with whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, allspice, coriander seeds, dried lemongrass, mint, and orange zest. Make a big batch for mulled wine, cider, and warm holiday drinks.

Almond Brown Sugar Biscotti: classic twice-baked Italian cookies with anise, brown sugar warmth, and chopped almonds. Crisp, dunkable, makes 3 dozen and stores for a month.

Twice-baked anise biscotti: long crisp Italian cookies flavored with star anise, perfect for dunking in espresso, vin santo, or a strong afternoon tea.

Homemade vanilla almond flavored coffee mix with ground coffee, vanilla extract, almond extract, and star anise. Brew coffeehouse-quality flavored coffee at home.

Traditional German Springerle cookies with anise oil, stamped with carved molds and dried overnight before baking to a pale straw color. This heirloom recipe makes 72 delicate, picture-perfect cookies.

German springerle, the classic embossed anise cookie made with eggs, sugar, flour, and crushed anise seed. Patterned with a springerle roller and dried overnight to lock in the design before baking.

Salt-free seasoning blend with garlic powder, basil, star anise, oregano, and lemon zest. A homemade spice mix for low-sodium cooking that adds real flavor without the salt.

Quick loaf bread made with Bisquick, candied fruit, walnuts, and a hint of anise. Mix, pour, bake. A retro holiday bread that couldn't be simpler.

Traditional German springerle cookies with anise and lemon, stamped with intricate designs using a springerle rolling pin. A classic holiday cookie that air-dries overnight for a crisp, white finish.

Five spice plum sorbet purees canned plums with dry sherry and Chinese five spice powder, then churns into a fragrant Asian-inspired summer sorbet. Five ingredients, no added sugar.

Polvorones: traditional Mexican pecan cookies made with butter and lard, spiced with cinnamon and anise seed. Sandy, crumbly, and sugar-coated.

Classic anise cookies build a meringue-like base from eggs whipped with sugar for 30 minutes, then rest overnight before baking into pillowy, licorice-scented Italian cookies.

Homemade Italian-style turkey sausage seasoned with fennel seed, oregano, thyme, garlic, and a whisper of star anise. Lean alternative to pork sausage with the same classic flavor.

Birnensuppe, a chilled German pear soup scented with cinnamon and star anise, studded with sherry-soaked raisins and brightened with lemon. Silky, elegant, and refreshing. Serves 2.