Vanillekipferl (Anise-Seed Crescent Cookies)

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 ¹⁄₂ cups flour
• 1 tbsp. crushed anise seeds
• ¹⁄₂ tsp. kosher salt
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• Coarse sanding sugar, to decorate

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°. Beat sugar and butter on medium-high speed of a hand mixer until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and yolks; beat until smooth. Add flour, anise, and salt; beat until just combined. Pinch off 1-tbsp.-sized pieces of dough, roll each into a cylinder; bend to form a crescent. Place 2" apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Brush with egg white, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until browned, 12-15 minutes.