Gail's Christmas Cookies

This is from Gail's grandmother Zick, who came from Germany when she was 14. She was born in the 1880's. It has become one of our family traditions, and frequently a favorite Christmas present.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 360 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup  soft butter
• 2  cups sugar
• 3  large eggs
• 1  cup sour cream
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon  anise extract
• 8  cups  sifted all-purpose flour

• Icing

• 1  large  egg white
• 1 -2  cup confectioners' sugar
• 1  lemon, juice of

Directions

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Beat in eggs.
3. Add sour cream and flavoring, mix well.
4. Sift in dry ingredients.
5. Refrigerate 8 hours or more.
6. Roll thin.
7. Cut with cookie cutters, making a hole for hanging.
8. Bake at 350°F until only slightly brown, about 7-10 minutes.
9. Cool.
10. Icing: Whip egg white until stiff.
11. Add sugar and lemon juice as needed.
12. Ice cookies.
13. Decorate and let dry.
14. Put dental floss through hole and hang on tree (making sure they are above level of hungry children or pets, or not!).