Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.

Remove the cardamom seeds from their papery husks and place in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, along with the star anise. Grind to a fine powder and discard any woody bits.

Add the mixture to the butter and sugar, along with the cinnamon, allspice, and white pepper. Stir to combine.

Fold in the flour and salt until well incorporated. The mixture will be grainy, similar to graham cracker crumbs.

Press into the bottom of a pie plate or small cast iron skillet. Score into 16 wedges and poke with a bamboo skewer.

Bake for 45 minutes or until firm in the center. Do not brown. Cool in the pan.