the 34 cookies of Christmas: day 31

Cookie number thirty-one of the 34 cookies of Christmas 2006 is one of our favorites. Plain and simple. A deliciously creamy dried fig and date filling is rolled between a light cream cheese dough that has been infused with the strongly subtle flavor of anise. The sweetness of the dried fruits, mingled with the high notes of licorice are a balanced match made in heaven. We roll these beautiful cookies in multicolored sanding sugar prior to baking, for a festive effect perfect for the holidays. The baking of these cookies fills the kitchen with a warm, holiday scent, driving away the cold, and calling friends and family to the oven. And when they come out of the oven, the sugar captures the light, glittering back its own holiday wishes. Really, in our opinion, it's nearly the perfect cookie!