Paximadia (Anise Finger Bars)

  1/2 Cup Butter                                                                4 Tsp Baking Powder

  1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil                                                    2 Tsp Anise Seed

  1 1/2 Cups Sugar                                                            4 3/4 Cups Flour

  3 Large Eggs                                                                 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  With electric mixer, beat butter, oil and sugar until blended.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat until light and creamy.  Stir in baking powder and anise seed.  Gradually add flour and stir until a soft dough is formed.  Divide dough into 5 parts.  Shape into long, narrow, flat loaves about 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch thick.  Place on greased cookie sheets 2 inches apart to allow for rising and score diagonally into 1/2 inch slices.  Bake about 20 minutes until lightly browned.  Remove from oven, reduce oven temp to 350, slice through marks while warm.  Return to baking pans, with a sliced side down, and return to oven until lightly browned.  Remove from oven, put on a cooling rack until completely cool.  Store in an air tight container.