Italian Anisette "S" Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1½ sticks of unsalted butter
• 1¼ cups granulated sugar
• 6 large eggs, room temp
• ½ cup milk, room temp
• 5 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 6 generous teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons anise extract (can use lemon or almond extract)

Frosting:

• 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
• ½ pound of confectioners’ sugar
• 6 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the over to 400 degrees F. Place flour, baking poder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
   
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and the sugar
   
3. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well. Next, mix in the anise. Add in milk and flour, alternating portions of each until they are all combined.
   
4. Turn dough onto a floured board and knead until dough is firm and not sticky (add more flour if needed.
   
5. Break off a handful of dough at a time and roll into long pencil, cut into 5 or 6 inch pieces. Shape into ‘S’ shape on ungreased cookie sheet. These cookies will puff up. Bake approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove to cool on rack, then frost. Makes about 5 dozen depending on size of cookie.
   

Frosting

1.  In a large bowl, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add in ½ pound of confectioners’ sugar. Stir in milk, stirring to incorporate well, to a desired consistency for frosting the cookies. Brush on cookies or use a spoon, apply sprinkles right away and return to rack to set.
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2. Let cool completely and store in airtight containers.