2 3/4 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 oz. bottle anise or almond flavoring
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. crushed almonds or walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Then add vanilla and anise flavorings. On a piece of waxed paper, sift flour and baking powder together. Mix into batter. Stir in nuts. Divide dough into halves. Shape each half into a loaf. Carefully lift each loaf onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Keep oven on. Cut each loaf into slices on the diagonal. Spread the slices over the cookie sheet, one cut side up. Bake for a few minutes until golden brown. Turn slices over. Repeat short baking for second side. Remove to rack to cool.