There is no need to wait for the holidays to make and enjoy these cookies! They are so simple to make, delicious and pretty too!
Cookies:
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. shortening
3/4 c. granulated sugar
4 eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour
5 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 t. anise extract, vanilla or lemon
Glaze:
4 T. milk
2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. anise extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
In the microwave melt butter and shortening (make sure the shortening is fresh or it will taste bad) together in a bowl.
Beat melted butter and shortening together until completely incorporated, about 2 minutes, then add granulated sugar, mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, about 1 minute each. Mix in anise extract.
Add flour mixture to creamed mixture slowly, until fully incorporated. Do not overmix. If cookie dough is too sticky to roll in the palm of your hand, add a bit more flour. The dough should be very soft, so don’t add too much.
Roll cookie dough into small balls then place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The bottoms of the cookies should be lightly browned but the tops of should remain light in color.
Remove them from cookie sheet immediately and move to a wire rack. Cool completely before glazing.
Glaze:
Slowly mix milk with powdered sugar and anise extract. Glaze needs to be thick to stick to the cookie. Dip top of cookies into the glaze. Sprinkle with nonpareils, let dry.
Yield: about 100 3/4 inch cookies.