6 eggs 1 cup of sugar 1/2 pound of butter or margarine 1 tablespoon of anise extract or vanilla extract 2 tablespoons of baking powder 5 - 5 1/2 cups of flour Beat eggs together, then mix in the sugar. Next add the butter and anise/vanilla. Now, add the baking powder and then the flour as needed - until it forms a dough that is soft enough to roll. Sprinkle some flour onto a tabletop or cutting board and roll the dough out in thin strips and form small knots. Keep adding flour to your workspace as needed - don't let the dough stick. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, until bottom is brown. Brush on icing. Add sprinkles as desired. To Make The Icing: Mix together 1 cup of confectioners sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of anise (or vanilla if you used that in the cookies). Add water until you get a thin consistency. Pop Pop's Christmas Cookies