Green anise sticks

This morning I was reading about, Tim Burton’s last movie, Alice in wonderland and as not to remember the Mad hatter and his funny crazy tea time Originally "tea-time" came much earlier in the day. Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is often credited with the invention of the tradition of afternoon tea in the early 1840's. Traditionally dinner was not served until 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening and the Duchess often became hungry, especially in the summer when dinner was served even later. She ordered a small meal of bread, butter, and other niceties, such as cakes, tarts, and biscuits, to be brought secretly to her boudoir. When she was exposed she was not ridiculed, as she had feared, but her habit caught on and the concept of a small meal, of niceties and perhaps tea, became popular and eventually known as "afternoon tea". Obviously the origins of the well known British tradition of afternoon tea cannot be credited to only one woman, but evolved over a period of time, as many cultural customs do. Traditions aside, I love to enjoy a simple cup of tea with something delicious and aromatic, as are these green anise seed sticks

Ingredients 2 cups All-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp Salt 3/4 cup Sugar 1/4 cup butter 2 eggs; well beaten 1 Tbsp anisette liquor 2 Tbsp green anise seeds

Heat oven to 375. Blend dry ingredients; cut in butter until particles are like large peas. Stir in eggs, anisette liquor and anise seeds. Mix thoroughly with hands. Using 1/2 dough at a time roll 1/4" thick on lightly floured board. Cut in sticks 4 x 1/2". Place on ungreased baking sheet about 1/2" apart. Brush with soft or melted butter. Bake 10-12 minutes Allow to cool and brush with 100 ml water 50g sugar 100g confectionary sugar Bring to boil until obtain a homogenous mixture. Brush each stick and pour over a rack to dry.