Italian Christmas Cookies Master Dough Recipe

This is a master recipe that can be
adapted into many Italian cookies.
Adding different flavors and coloring
to the cookie dough and icing.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. butter, softened
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 tbsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. vanilla

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar,
add eggs and flavoring.
Mix well.
Blend in flour and baking powder.
Work to form a soft pliable dough.
Cut off pieces of dough,
the size of a walnut,
roll to about 1/2-inch thickness,
then shape into a curved S-shape
about 2 1/2-inches long or a
straight 2 1/2-inch pencil shape.
Bake in preheated oven 375 degrees F.
until lightly brown about 15-20 minutes.
Cookies may be iced or left plain.

Icing:
1/2 pound confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon anise extract

Blend sugar and anise extract,
adding milk slowly to form
a soft, smooth icing.
Ice cookies while still warm.