Grandma Fickelscherer's Christmas Cookies (Anise)

Gramdma Fickelscherer's anise flavored Christmas cookies
with a sprinkling of sanding (decorating) sugar on top.
The cookies in the picture were made by Susan - they
are one of Cori's favorites.

These anise flavored cookies puff up more than most cutout cookies, which tend to stay fairly flat when baked. Grandma's recipe originally called for lard. After making them this way initially, Susan found that she likes the cookies better made with a combination of margarine and butter.

This makes a large amount of cookies. You may want to cut the recipe in half, or even in thirds.

1 pound (2 cups) lard (or substitute 1 cup margarine and 1 cup butter)
2 pounds (4 cups) sugar
6 eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. salt
8 tsp. baking powder
4 Tbsp. anise seed
13-14 cups flour, to stiffen
Sanding (decorating) sugars, for sprinkling on top

Cream the lard, or butter and margarine, with the sugar until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs and beat well. Add the milk and beat well.

Stir in the salt, baking powder, anise seeds and the flour, a bit at a time until the dough is stiff enough to roll. Dough will be slightly sticky.

Use flour and powder sugar to roll out dough 1/4" thick. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters..

Sprinkle with colored sanding sugars. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350° F. for about 12 minutes until the bottoms are lightly browned.

Makes 10 dozen.