Anise Cookies

This is an unusual cookie, suitable for the Christmas season. It looks like it's covered with super-smooth frosting. You don't work hard but your electric mixer sure does.

2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anise extract

Heavily grease or pan spray two or three cookie sheets. Beat eggs until light and fluffy in small bowl of electric mixer, about 10 minutes. Add sugar a tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. This takes about ten minutes more. Beating time should total 20 minutes.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt onto wax paper. Lower mixer speed and add flour mixture gradually to egg mixture, blending well after each addition. Beat in extract.

Drop by teaspoonsful, 1 inch apart, onto well-greased cookie sheets. Let dry, uncovered, at room temperature at least 8 hours, or overnight, until tops feel dry and firm.

Bake at 325 degrees F about 10 to 12 minutes or until firm. Cookies will be light in color. Cool on rack.

NOTE: Sunset Magazine recipe uses 3 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups flour, no salt, and a heavily buttered and floured baking sheet.