Our Favorite Valentine's Day Italian Cookies

These cookies are our family's favorite Valentine treat. I don't know the origin of the recipe as my family has been using it for at least 35- 40 years. They are unique though, in that I have never had them anywhere else.

1 Cup Butter, melted

5 Cups Flour

5 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 Cup Sugar

6 Eggs

2 Teaspoons of your choice of either Anise, Vanilla, Lemon or Almond Extract

Icing:

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

2 - 3 Tablespoons Milk

Red food coloring

Decorative Sugar or Sprinkles, if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour and baking powder into bowl and set aside. Beat eggs well, add melted Butter and mix. Add Sugar, mix. Add flavor Extract, Flour, and Baking Powder. Mix.

Roll dough into walnut sized balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2" apart.

Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are slightly golden in color.

Icing:

Make a thick paste of powdered sugar and milk. Add food coloring. Dip tops of cookies into icing and place on a cooling rack to dry. Sprinkle with decorative sugars or sprinkles while icing is wet, if desired.

Store loosely covered.