Ingredients:

•        8  Oz            Cream cheese -- softened
•        4                    Eggs
•     3/4 C             Margarine -- softened
• 3 1/4  C             All-purpose flour
•    3/4  C             Sugar
•       1  Tsp           Baking powder
•       1  Tsp           Vanilla
•    1/8  Tsp           Salt
•    1/2  tsp           Anise extract
•    1/2  c             Sliced almonds. toasted

Direction:

 Preheat oven to 350F.

 Beat cream cheese, margarine, sugar, vanilla and anise extract in large
 mixing bowl at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended.

 Gradually add combined dry ingredients, mix well; stir in almonds.

 On well-floured surface with floured hands, shape dough into three 12 x 1
 1/2 inch logs.  Place logs, 2 inches apart, on greases and floured cookie sheet
 

  Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.  (Dough will spread
  and flatten slightly during baking.)  Cool slightly.

  Diagonally cut each log into 3/4 inch slices.  Place on cookie sheet.

  Continue baking 5 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown.
  Cool on wire  rack.