INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Shortening (lard)
1 cup Sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 Tablespoons Anise Seed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup light Karo syrup
1/2 cup molasses
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 2/3 cup flour
DIRECTIONS:
Cream together the shortening and sugar, until well blended. Add eggs, and spices, until well blended.
Combine syrup, molasses, water and baking soda then add to creamed mixture. Add the flour, 2/3 cup, and then in 1 cup intervals until well blended. wrap dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Once dough is chilled, roll out to 1/2 inch thickness, and then cut into 1/2 inch strips, and then cut each strip into 1/2 inch squares. Place onto greased pans, and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.
Cool completely and store into air tight containers.
Optional: after taking cookies out of the hot oven roll in powdered sugar.