2 sticks butter, unsalted
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup water, lukewarm
3 tablespoons anise
2 tablespoons fennel

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, and then vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate flour mixture with water. Whip egg whites and fold into batter with anise and fennel.

Pour into very large greased and floured loaf pan or 2 medium sized greased and floured loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.