2 1/4 cups FLOUR

1/4 teaspoon SALT

1 cup soft BUTTER 

1/2 cup POWDERED SUGAR (confectioners)

1/2 teaspoon VANILLA extract

3 teaspoons ANISE extract (divided, see below)

3/4 cup finely-ground WALNUTS

POWDERED SUGAR (for rolling, about 1-2 cups)

Preheat oven to 400-degrees.

Sift together the FLOUR and SALT, set aside.

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of ANISE extract over the ground walnuts, toss well, set aside.

Cream butter with sugar, vanilla and 1 teaspoon anise extract until light and fluffy.

Add the flour mixture, a little at a time, beating between additions.

Add the (anise-flavored) ground walnuts.

Roll into 3/4-inch balls.  Place on ungreased baking sheets (cookies do not spread).

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes until set but not brown.

While they are baking, place 1-2 cups powdered sugar in a bowl (for rolling) and sprinkle 1 teaspoon anise extract over the powdered sugar, toss well with a whisk for 60 seconds, set aside.

While cookies are still warm, roll in anise-flavored powdered sugar.  Cool.  Before storing, toss again in anise-flavored powdered sugar.

Store in air-tight container with wax paper between layers.

Makes about 80 bite-sized cookies.