Biscochitos
Ingredients
6 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups lard or shortening
1 1/2 cups plus 1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons anise seeds
2 eggs
1/4 cup brandy
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
Sift together flour, salt and baking powder and set aside. Cream lard and 1 1/2 cups sugar by beating in bowl until light and fluffy. Add anise seeds and beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in brandy. Add flour mixture and beat until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of work bowl, about 1 minute. Chill 1 hour.
Combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
Remove from refrigerator at least 30 minutes before rolling out. Roll out 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick on lightly floured board and cut in desired shapes (fleurs-de-lis are traditional). Transfer to ungreased baking sheet, dust with cinnamon sugar and bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Yields 6 dozen cookies.
