Italian Anise Toast

These are wonderful for dipping into coffee!

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups unbleached flour
• 2 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 bottle anise extract or a few drops of anise oil

Instructions

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until well blended. Add sugar. Add melted butter. Add anise extract or anise oil. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. Add 1 cup whole almonds, toasted at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, if desired.
3. Form into two loaves on a floured board. Each loaf should be approximately 12 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. Bake 1 loaf at a time on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
4. Cut baked loaves into a 3/4 inch diagonal slices.
5. Bake slices at 350 degrees F for 6 minutes on each side. Cool.