Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day

Name: Italian Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 5 teaspoons baking powder*; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup butter or margarine; 1/4 cup shortening; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 4 eggs; 2 teaspoons anise extract (can use vanilla or lemon extract instead); 2 cups confectioners' sugar (sifted); 2-4 tablespoons milk; Colorful spinkles (optional)