Recipe: Anise Cut Out Cookies (4)

GRANDMA DONNA'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES

1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
5 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla or anise
FOR THE FROSTING:
2 cups powdered sugar
warm water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.

Cream the shortening, sugar and eggs.

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.

Add vanilla or anise to milk. Alternately add with the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture until all ingredients are used.

On a clean lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and help cut out cookies. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool then frost and decorate.

TO PREPARE THE FROSTING:
Cream: 2 cups powdered sugar with warm water stirred in a few drops at a time until desired texture

Note from source: Mom usually frosts and we dip the cookies in sprinkles, etc. to decorate.

Source: Unknown (not from my Grandma)

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CHRISTMAS COOKIES

5 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 tsp. anise oil or extract
2 tbsp. milk or a little more

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Cream together sugar, shortening, eggs. Combine extract and milk and add to creamed mixture alternately with the flour. Add a little more milk if needed.

Roll out on board and cut into shapes. Place on prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

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ANISE COOKIES

4 cups flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp. anise extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.

Sift flour and baking powder together three times; set aside.

Add shortening to sugar and cream until smooth; set aside.

Combine eggs, milk and flavorings. Add to shortening and sugar mixture half at a time with flour.

Roll dough thin and cut with cookie cutter. Place on prepared cookie sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

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ITALIAN COOKIES
Makes 4 dozen cookies

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup butter
1 1/2 tsp. anise extract
3 eggs
FOR THE GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

Cut in butter thoroughly. Stir in anise and unbeaten eggs.

Turn out dough on a lightly floured board; knead until smooth. Divide it in 1/2 and roll each part about 1/4-inch thick. Cut with cookie cutter. Place on prepared cookie sheets.

Bake about 15 minutes or until brown.

While cookies are warm, cover the tops with a glaze made of 1 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons milk.

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Dear Maryann,

I'm sorry to hear that your mom isn't well. I have my fingers crossed that one of these recipes will be one you're looking for.

Happy Holiday Baking!

Betsy at Recipelink.com