I love these cookies. The sharp, earthy complexity of French chèvre meets the deep, exotic warmth of Southeast Asian star anise, all wrapped in a buttery, tender cookie base. The result is a truly sophisticated Goat Cheese Star Anise Cookie with a savory depth and aromatic finish unlike anything you’ve tasted before.

Honestly, I never even liked star anise—at least not until now. But much like the OMG Hibiscus Cookies converted me to hibiscus, this cookie completely changed my mind about star anise.

Star anise was a flavor suggested by Morgane, my exchange sister from France. My memories with her are quite different from those I share with my exchange kiddos now—and admittedly a little fuzzier after more than 20 years—but they remain dear. Star anise may not be the first ingredient you associate with French cuisine, but that’s part of its charm. It reminds me that even the most storied culinary traditions are shaped by global influences—and that sometimes the most unexpected combinations are the most delightful. One of the interests Morgane and I shared was music. One of our most memorable escapades involved hauling home an assortment of percussion instruments so we could prepare for a band competition. Unfortunately, we managed to break the bass drum. So instead of practicing that much that night, we spent most of the evening trying to fix it. As teenagers, when you’re living with or hanging out with exchange students (or fixing drums with exchange students) you don’t think about the cross-cultural bridges you’re building—that’s part of the magic. You’re not focused on differences; you’re quietly creating bonds, learning acceptance and tolerance, navigating ambiguity and uncertainty, and slowly becoming a global citizen.

Star Anise Goat Cheese Cookies

Recipe by Sarah

0.0 from 0 votes

These are soft goat cheese cookies flavored with star anise. They have a subtle tangy finish that balances the sweetness, with a gently spiced, aromatic depth. The use of goat cheese gives them a slightly savory edge, making them feel more complex than a typical dessert cookie. They’re the cheesy, spiced fusion recipe you need!

Difficulty: Easy

Yield

2

dozen

Prep time

10

minutes

Baking time

10

minutes

Total time

20

minutes

!Ingredients

• Star Anise Cookie Dough

• 1 cup Butter

• 1 1/4 cups Sugar

• 4 ounces Goat cheese (approximately1/3 cup)

• 1 Egg

• 1 Egg yolk

• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

• 3 cups Flour

• 2 teaspoons Baking powder

• 1-2 teaspoons Ground star anise (see note)

• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

• Star Anise Sugar Coating

• 1/4 cup Sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon Ground star anise

Directions

• Star Anise Goat Cheese Cookie Dough
• Cream the butter and goat cheese in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until fully combined and smooth. Then add the sugar and and mix until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground star anise, and salt until the mixture is uniform and lightly aerated, with no visible clumps.
• Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until a soft, cohesive dough forms with no dry spots. The dough should feel slightly tacky but hold together easily. If the dough is sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it is smooth, soft, and manageable. It should not stick to your fingers.
• Assembly
• Preheat the over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Whisk the sugar and ¼ teaspoon ground star anise in a small bowl until evenly combined. Scoop the dough into 1-tablespoon portions and roll into smooth balls. Roll each ball in the sugar mixture until fully coated, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, and then transfer to a cookie sheet to cool completely.

Notes

• Star anise can be a pretty divisive flavor. If you like star anise, lean toward 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons. If you don’t love it, stick with one teaspoon.