1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. anise oil (see note)
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 lb. candied cherries, cut in half
1/2 c. walnuts or pecans, broken up

Cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture and anise oil to butter-sugar mixture. Add nuts and cherries.

Turn out on well floured board and knead a few times with floured hands. Form long, cookie-dough cylinders about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper and chill overnight in refrigerator.

Slice thin (1/4 to 1/8 inch) with very sharp knife. Put on ungreased cookie sheets and bake in preheated 325 degree F. oven until slightly brown, about 10-15 minutes.

Note: If anise oil is unavailable in your area, substitute 1 teaspoon anise extract.