One of my fondest memories is making christmas cookies with my grandmother.  As I've gotten older, I miss Her more and more each year and so have tried to replicate her cookies as faithfully as possible.

Along the way, i've learned that the only folks who truly like these cookies are my family for whom they are comfort food.  when i give them to other people, i always have to preface with "they're more like biscotti, you might not like them." 

Grandma Fehlner's

Christmas Cookies

1.  Cream thoroughly in a mixer: 1 cup crisco and 1 cup sugar

2.  Add 1/2 tsp. salt, 6 egg yolks, 1 tsp. Vanilla

3.  Then Add 1 TBS. Crushed anise seed, 1 tbs. blackberry brandy, and 1/3 cup Milk

4.  Sift together 6 tsp. Baking powder and 5 1/2 - 6 cups Flour

Add alternately with

5.  6 egg whites beaten until stiff

6.  Knead, roll and cut cookies or make spirals.

7.  Bake on Ungreased sheets at 350' 10-13 minutes until lightly browned

THEN:

Icing for cookies

1 egg white, 2 tsp. water are beaten until stiff.  add 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 lemon or orange flavoring, 3/4 - 1 cup confectioners sugar and pinch of cream of tartar. 

Add food coloring as desired.

here i've conned my husband and one of our friends into doing the job that was always reserved for the grandchildren---frosting them all individually.