Polish Christmas Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup shortening

2 cups white sugar

5 eggs

7 ½ cups all-purpose flour

6 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ ounce anise extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Cream the butter, shortening and the sugar together. Stir in the eggs and continue to beat. Add the anise flavoring. Stir in 7 cups of the flour, the baking powder and the salt. Mix until the dough is soft. Add the additional cup of flour if needed. Chill the dough.

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutters. Place cookies on greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes. Frost and decorate when cookies are cooled.