4 eggs
2 c. sugar
4-6 drops of anise oil or 1 tsp. anise extract
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Lightly grease cookie sheets. In large bowl, beat eggs until very thick, about 15 minutes, gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition. Continue beating 10 minutes. Beat in anise and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. On floured surface, roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. With springerle rolling pin, roll designs into dough. Cut cookies along design lines and place on prepared cookie sheet.

Cover with a cloth and let stand 8 hours or overnight. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place cookies in oven and immediately decrease temperature to 300 degrees. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Store in tightly covered containers several weeks before using. Yield: 48 cookies. Calories 75 per cookie; fat 1 gram per cookie.