Sesame Seed Cookies I

Recipe View In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (10 minutes)

Recipe View In a separate small bowl, combine the anise oil (if using) with 1/2 cup of the milk. Gradually add this mixture to the flour mixture, adding more milk as needed until the dough comes together into a cohesive ball. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (10 minutes)

Recipe View Pinch off small portions of the dough (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them between your palms to form finger-sized logs. (15 minutes)

Recipe View Prepare a shallow dish of sugar water. Dip each dough log briefly in the sugar water, then transfer to a clean, lint-free cloth sprinkled with sesame seeds. Roll the dough gently on the cloth to coat with seeds. (15 minutes)

Recipe View Flatten each sesame-coated log slightly to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut each log into 2-inch strips and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. (25 minutes)

Recipe View Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container for storage. (30 minutes)