Greek Egg Biscuits

Makes 32

Ingredients

• 10 tbsp unsalted butter (1 and 1/4 sticks)
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or anise extract)
• 2 eggs beaten (reserve a little to brush tops of cookies)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoons baking powder
• sesame seeds

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets

In large mixing bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for 3 or 4 minutes on medium speed. Add eggs and beat well. Beat in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture and stir to form soft, cohesive dough. Add flour if dough is too soft to handle easily.

Lightly flour a work surface. Divide dough in half, roll each half into cylinder and cut into 16 equal pieces. Roll on floured surface into ropes about 7 inches long. Cross the ends and twirl dough in a loop in the opposite direction, forming a braid OR curl each end in opposite direction and form a sort of S (easier–see photos). Place on cookie sheets about 1 inch apart.

Beat remaining egg. Brush onto braids for glaze and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheets for 10 minutes, then remove to racks to cool completely.