INGREDIENTS FOR COOKIES (See bottom for icing instructions.)

• 3 eggs
• 7 tbsp* sugar
• 3 tbsp* Crisco, melted
• 3 tsp* baking powder
• 1 tsp each: anise, vanilla, lemon flavors
• 4 cups flour
• Approx. 3/4 cup milk

METHOD

* Please note that my mother’s idea of a tablespoon is a large serving spoon and she uses a regular teaspoon (not a measuring spoon), and also the 3/4 cup milk is an approximation – half of a coffee mug.    – Annie

Start by beating the eggs and sugar together for approximately 5 minutes until a smooth lemon-colored mixture is seen.

Then add the Crisco (make sure it has cooled down a bit before you add to the egg mixture). Next add the flavorings.

While the egg/sugar mixture is beating, warm the milk slightly (in the microwave if you desire) and then add the baking powder to that. It will start to foam quickly.
Stir it well and then add to the egg/sugar mixture after it has been beating for 5 minutes. My mom says this takes that “baking powder taste” out of the cookie.

Now add the flour. Mix until the dough is tacky.

Flour your hands. Break dough off by the teaspoonful, shape in a crescent, snip along the spine of the cookie 3 times to help maintain the shape while baking.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or till golden on the bottom side of cookie.

Frost and sprinkle promptly

 

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BISCOTTI FROSTING INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp butter
• confectioner’s sugar (about 2-3 cups)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• milk (about 1/4 cup)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

METHOD

Mix the above ingredients together to form a smooth consistency – somewhere between a thin and medium.

We set up an assembly line for frosting and sprinkling with non pareils. Many hands make light work. As you can see it makes sense to get everyone involved in this baking project. God bless you and the fruits of your labor. At our house we call these the “Jesus, Mary and Joseph cookies” because as we snip we bless each cookie with the memory of the Holy Family in the hope that we can nourish each other and live up to their example. Enjoy!     – Annie Kachurek