Iced Italian Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb butter, softened (2 sticks)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar (1/2 of a 1-pound box) for Icing
• 2 tablespoons milk for Icing
• 1 tablespoon anise extract or 1 tablespoon vanilla or 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice for Icing
• colored crystal sugar, to decorate

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar until soft and creamy.
2. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
3. Combine flour and baking powder, then blend into the butter mixture.
4. Break off small, walnut sized pieces of dough and shape into bows, braids, knots,"s" shapes, or any shape you desire.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 F until lightly browned, about 15-20 minutes.
6. Cool on wire racks,then ice as desired.
7. Icing: Blend sugar and your choice of flavoring, adding milk slowly to form a soft, smooth icing (some ice the cookies while they are still warm, others wait until they are cooled).
8. Sprinkle with colored sugar or confettini (tiny multi-colored sprinkles) before icing sets.

Notes