Mantecados Recipe - Traditional Spanish Crumble Cakes

These traditional Spanish crumble cakes or "mantecados" crumble very easily. In fact, they are so soft, they will literally melt in your mouth. Light and with a delicate anise flavor, words will not do them justice. You'll have to make them to see why they are a Spanish favorite and why no Spanish home is without "mantecados" at Christmas!

Polvorones Recipe - Spanish Almond Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups vegetable shortening
1 cup vegetable oil
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
2 shot glasses of anise (see note below for substitute)
1 lemon peel, grated juice from 1 lemon
1/2 tsp cinnamon
7 1/4 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 egg white, beaten for glaze
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 7 dozen 2.5 inch cookies

Preparation
Substitution Note: Anise-flavored liqueur can be purchased at most liquor stores and some gourmet supermarkets. If you cannot find it in your area, substitute 2 shot glasses of vodka and 1 1/2 tsp of anise extract.
In a very large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the vegetable shortening with the oil. Add the sugar and mix until smooth. Add the egg yolks, anise, lemon peel, juice and cinnamon and mix together. Add flour and baking soda to mixture, a cup at a time. Be sure to mix well. Dough
Preheat over to 325 degrees. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a dollop of dough. Form balls about the size of walnuts, using your hands. If