Ingredients:
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 1/2 cups flour
7 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon anise extract
2/3 cup light cream or 2/3 cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons anise extract
colored sprinkles, to decorate, as needed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Cream butter, shortening,and sugar until smooth; add eggs and beat well.
In another bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt with a whisk.
Add flour mixture to butter mixture along with anise extract and cream and,using a wooden spoon, mix well.
Form dough into small balls and place onto ungreased cookie sheets several inches apart.
Flatten slightly (using a sugared glass or the palm of your hand) and bake approximately 12 minutes.
Remove to racks to cool then frost.
For frosting, melt butter over low heat in a small saucepan.
Add sugar, milk, and anise extract and stir until smooth.
Dunk tops or sides of cooled cookies into the icing, then dunk into a dish of sprinkles to decorate.
Frosting will harden once it dries.
Servings: Serve
Time preparation: 15 min.
Time total: 30 min.