Biscochitos

Makes 5-Dozen Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup Unsalted butter; At Room Temperature
1 cup Lard or Vegetable Shortening
1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
2 tsp. Anise Seeds; Crushed
2 Eggs; Slightly Beaten
6 cups All-purpose Flour
3 tsp. Baking Powder
3/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Brandy or Sherry
Non-Alcohol Substitute: Apple Juice with 1 tsp. Brandy Flavor Extract
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon

Pre-heat oven to 350-F degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, lard or vegetable shortening and sugar. Add anise seeds and eggs, continue to beat until well mixed. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Alternately add flour mixture and brandy or sherry to creamed butter mixture until a stiff dough is formed. Knead dough slightly to mix, then roll into 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes.

Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with the sugar and cinnamon. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 10-minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on rack and store in an airtight container for up to one week.