Holiday Peppernuts

3/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup lard
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon anise extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 cups all-purpose flour

Combine sugar, corn syrup, milk and lard in a saucepan. Heat to boiling. Cool.

Stir in remaining ingredients except flour. Mix in enough flour to make a stiff dough, kneading in the last addition. Chill.

Shape dough into 3/4-inch thick rolls on a board lightly dusted with sifted confectioners' sugar. Cut each roll in pieces about 3/8-inch long. Bake on cookie sheet at 375 degrees F until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet 1 or 2 minutes before removing.