1 - Dust springerle boards with powdered sugar.
2 - The dough has been divided into several portions. Roll out one portion of CHILLED DOUGH to a thickness of at least 1/4 inch on a lightly floured pastry cloth or board.
3- Press down firmly enough to make clear, deep impressions of the springerle designs; carefully lift off mold. (Alternative: roll dough on surface of mold and invert mold).
4 - For the first several moldings, repeat dusting molds each time cookies are molded.
5 - Cut cookies apart with a floured knife or pastry wheel.
6 - Lift each cookie carefully to a lightly floured cookie sheets. Cover sheet of cookies with a towel; let stand 8 hrs. or overnight to air dry.
7 - Brush excess flour from cookies. Rub bottom of each cookie with a finger dipped in water. Transfer cookies to large cookie sheets greased or sprayed (and sprinkled with anise seed - if desired). Place cookies about 1 inch apart.
8 - Bake in a slow oven (300 degrees*) for 15-20 minutes, or until set but not browned. Cool on wire racks. Store in tightly covered containers for at least a week to mellow. You may wish to store them for a longer time in the freezer.
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* Ovens vary. Reduce heat if your test cookies "tilt" or "overpuff." Use lower oven temperature for very small cookies and slightly higher temperature for larger cookies.