Combine flour, baking soda, salt, anise seed, Zest.

In a mixing bowl beat sugar, and lard(or shortening) Add egg/vanilla and beat.

Gradually beat in flour mix.

Refrigerate 1hr or more.

Put dough into a cookie press(or roll out and cut with cookie cutter)

Press onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Prepare topping in a separate bowl.

Bake for about 8-9 minutes (for rolled out cooking bake about 10-12 minutes)

Watch these cookies they brown easily!!

Take out of oven, wait about a minute or two so you can lift the cookie without it crumbling (but it must still be warm!!)

Dip into cinnamon sugar mix.

Note-I could not find crushed/ground anise. I bought regular anise seeds and used a coffee grinder-in bursts, they are light!

Note-better with lard, but you may use Vegetable shortening instead(I used crisco)