1/2 c. lard or Crisco
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. maple syrup
1 egg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/16 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. anise seed or flavoring (add more if you like)
1 tsp. baking soda
Little salt
Pinch of pepper
1/4 c. ground almonds
1/4 c. other nuts
3 c. flour

Stir up like other cookies and let stand in refrigerator 1 day or overnight, if possible.

Take some of the dough and roll into long ropes and cut off about 1 inch sections or roll small pieces of dough into small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until done.