Cocoles de anís

Ingredientes

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup ground piloncillo (or packed brown sugar)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup lard (or shortening or butter)
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1/2 Tablespoon ground anise seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 small egg
• Sesame seeds (as needed)

Preparación

1. 1

   Place flour, piloncillo, sugar, yeast, ground anise seeds, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl. Mix to combine.

2. 2

   Add lard and water, and knead until you’ll have a smooth and elastic dough.

3. 3

   Make a ball with the dough and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm environment until almost doubled in size (about 1 hour).

4. 4

   Lightly flour a working surface and transfer the dough there. Divide the dough into 10 pieces.

5. 5

   Shape each piece into a ball, then roll each ball forth and back while lightly pressing the outer edges to form a sort of sausage with pointed ends.

6. 6

   Flatten the dough with a rolling pin to give it a diamond shape.

7. 7

   Place the rolled pieces on two greased baking sheets. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm environment to raise for 30-40 minutes.

8. 8

   Preheat your oven to 360°F/180°C

9. 9

   Combine the egg with a tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.

10. 10

    Brush each cocol roll with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

11. 11

    Bake for 20 minutes or until nicely golden brown.

12. 12

    Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then transfer the sweet rolls to a cooling rack and let them sit until cool down completely.