Christmas Anise Cookies
The seed of the plant, called aniseed, is used as a condiment, in the preparation of the liqueur anisette and in medicine as a stimulant. Aniseed has an aromatic, agreeable smell and a warm, sweetish taste. Both smell and taste are due to its oil.
The crucial step for best results is letting them stand over night before baking. 
Check after 4 hours, if your in a hurry. 
The surface of the cookies should be puffed up and glazed.

Anise cookies are a traditional special treat for the Christmas Holidays. They have wonderful flavor, fragrance and shiny round top. The Anise is an an herb related to the carrot. The aromatic seeds of the Anise provide the flavoring. Here is our old family recipe. They smell and taste delicious.

3 eggs
1 cup and 2 tbsp. granulated sugar.
Beat this mixture in one direction for 30 minutes. Hopefully you have an electric mixer.
Then add 1 3/4 cup sifted flour
and 1/2 tsp. baking powder to mixture
and beat for 3 more minutes.
Add 1 tbsp. Anise Seed.
Drop with a spoon on greased tins and let stand over night for best results. Check after 4 hours, if your in a hurry.
Bake for 10-12 minutes at 325o .

The recipe makes about 4 dozen cookies. The cookies should come out with a glossy domed top and are about 1 1/2 " in diameter.
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