SIM Nigeria

A nice, spicy German Christmas cookie, but you need some spices that might be hard to find in Nigeria, such as white pepper and anise extract.

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses
2 teaspoons anise extract
3 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 teaspoon cardamon
1 1/2 Tablespoons grated lemon rind, about 2 lemons

------- GLAZE -------
1 egg white
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon ground anise
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix thoroughly shortening, sugar, egg, molasses, anise. Blend in remaining ingredients. Knead dough until of right consistency for molding.
2. Shape dough by level teaspoons into balls. Place one inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake about 12 min or until golden brown on bottom. Cool. Glaze.
   Makes about 6 dozen.
3. Glaze: Combine egg white, honey, and ground anise. Add powdered sugar, beat until smooth.
   Put 12 cookies into a bowl. Drizzle wtih 2 tablespoons glaze. Toss with fork to coat. Dry on rack or waxed paper.