Italian Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. white sugar
1 1/2 c. shortening
2 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 egg
dash of salt
2 Tbsp. vanilla
1 dram anise oil
1 1/4 c. milk
5 c. flour (if mixing with a heavy duty mixer, use 7 c.)

Preparation

Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg, salt, vanilla, anise oil and baking powder, mixing well with an electric mixer or by hand. Alternately add milk and flour until all are used.
Turn out on a floured board and use approximately 2 more cups flour to make dough soft and pliable.
If you want to make the dough variegated, add red coloring and work through to a variegated stage.