Category: Desserts

1/2 cup Butter or margarine

1 cup Light brown sugar*

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Lemon extract

1/2 tsp Anise extract

2 3/4 cup Sifted flour

1 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Black pepper

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Cloves

1/8 tsp Mace

Confectioners sugar

* firmly packed



Just the smell of these cookies baking is enough to get you in the holiday spirit.



In a large mixing bowl, cream butter with brown sugar. Beat eggs and extracts. In another bowl, add sifted flour and mix baking powder, salt, pepper and spices. Gradually add flour butter mixture, mixing well after each addition. Chill 2 hours or overnight.



Preheat oven to 375ø. Shape dough with two teaspoons into ovals and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes. Carefully remove cookies from baking sheets to wire racks and sprinkle with confectioners sugar. Cool and store in airtight containers. These cookies keep well and mellow with age. They're their best about 5-8 days after baking.



Yield: about 5 dozen. Martina Boudreau, St. Louis, MO



Randy Shearer