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• 5 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon anise oil or 2 tablespoons anise extract

In medium bowl with electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter with sugar until very light, twenty minutes. Add eggs one at a time along with anise.

Add flour mixture, beat at low speed until blended. Divide mixture into four or six parts. Spread each portion on a greased and floured cookie sheet (or use parchment paper) and shape into 12 inch loaves. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven. Cool 5 minutes. Cut into 3/4 inch thick slices. Turn each on its side and bake 5 to 10 minutes on each side until golden. Remove to wire rack and let cool.

Yield: about 7 dozen