italian pizzelle cookies

3 eggs-- beaten
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c butter
1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp anise seed or extract
*add and beat ingredients together in order listed. drop by rounded spoonful onto center of preheated griddle. close lid and clip handles together. allow to cook until steaming stops, about 45 seconds. remove with fork. allow to cool on wire rack. while hot may be rolled into cylinder or shaped into one. may dust with powdered sugar. store in airtight container.
variations: lemon, omit vanilla and ansie add 2 tsp and 1 tbl grated lemon peel to the basic recipe