Ingredients: |
Ingredients: 1/2 c. margarine or butter, softened 1/2 c. sugar 3 large eggs 1 t. vanilla extract 2 t. anise extract or anisette (anise flavored liqueur) 2½ c. flour 1 T. baking powder 3/4 c. Confectioners' sugar red & green sprinkles, optional green food color, optional
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Directions: |
Directions:In a large bowl, beat margarine with sugar at low speed, until blended. Increase speed to high and beat until creamy. At medium speed, beat in eggs, vanilla and 1 t. anise, constantly scraping bowl with spatula. Reduce the speed to low; beat in flour and baking powder. Shape dough into 4 balls. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and freeze at least 1 hour or refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350º. On a lightly floured surface, divide 1 ball into 9 equal pieces, keeping remaining dough refrigerated. With lightly floured hands, roll each piece of dough into a 7" long rope; bring ends of rope together and gently twist several times. Pinch twisted ends together to seal. Place cookies about 2" apart on an ungreased large cookie sheet. Bake cookies 112 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. Repeat with remaining dough.
When cookies are cool, prepare glaze. In a small bowl, mix confectioner's sugar with 1 t. anise and 2 T. water. Brush top of cookies with the glaze; place on rack. Top with sprinkles, if you like. Set cookies aside to allow glaze to dry, about 1 hour. |