Bizcochitos

Mix 3 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a bowl, with a mixer on high speed, beat lard, 2/3 cup sugar, and anise seed until fluffy.

Beat in egg until blended.

On medium speed, mix in sherry.

Add dry ingredients. Stir to combine, then beat until well blended.

On a plate, mix remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and Chinese five spice.

Divide dough in half. Pat each half into a ball. On a well-floured board, roll dough, a portion at a time, 1/4 inch thick. With a flour-dusted cookie cutter (plain or a simple design, about 1 1/2 in. wide), cut dough into shapes.

One at a time, dip top of each cookie in spiced sugar, pressing lightly so sugar sticks. Set cookies, sugar side up, about 1/2 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Gather dough scraps into a ball, roll out, and cut more cookies.

Bake cookies in a 325° oven until bottoms are golden, about 10 minutes (if using 1 oven, switch pan positions after 5 min.). Transfer to racks to cool. Serve, or let cool and package airtight.

Nutritional analysis per cookie.