Ingredients

• 4 cups - all - purpose flour (maida)
• 1 cup - white sugar
• 1.5 cups - shortening
• 3/4 cup - milk
• 1/8 tsp - anise oil (optional)
• 2 oz - sesame seeds

How to Make Sesame Seed Cookies

• Combine flour and sugar in a bowl.
• Cut in shortening with a pastry blender-or work with your hands - until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add anise oil (optional), a small amount for it is very strong, to 1/2 cup milk and add to flour mixture.
• Gradually add more of the milk while mixing until dough holds together.
• Pull off small portions of dough and roll between palms of the hands into a finger-sized roll.
• Roll in sesame seeds.
• Seeds stick better if put in sugared water and strained on to a clean cloth.
• Roll in sesame seeds and flatten out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut into 2 inch strips and place on ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees centigrade) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Remove, cool completely, and store in an airtight container.