Italian Anise Slices

Ingredients

• 3 c sifted flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 c sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 c thinly sliced blanched almonds coarsely broken
• 3 Tbsp baking powder
• 12 c 14 lb butter
• 1 tsp anise flavoring or 14 tsp oil of anise

Directions

1. Sift together the flour baking powder and salt
2. In a large mixing bowl cream butter sugar and anise flavoring beat in eggs one at a time
3. Add flour mixture and almonds
4. Turn out on a floured pastry cloth and knead gently until smooth
5. Divide dough in half
6. Shape each half into a roll about 1 12 inches in diameter
7. Place on lightly greased baking sheet
8. Bake in a preheated 350 oven until firm to the touch about 30 to 35 minutes
9. Remove from oven and let cool slightly
10. While still warm
11. Cut rolls into crosswise slices about 12-inch thick
12. Place cut side down on cookie sheet
13. Return to oven and bake until toasted and dried out about 10 to 20 minutes longer if necessary Turn once to toast and brown both sides
14. Cool completely
15. Store in a tightly covered tin box
16. Makes 3 to 3 12 dozen