Grandma Vivardo’s Italian Easter Cookies

Ingredients

• 8 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 12 large eggs
• 2½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon Mary DiSomma’s Madagascar cognac vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon anise extract or a few drops of anise oil (see note)
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Colored hard-boiled eggs (optional)
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Mary DiSomma’s Madagascar cognac vanilla extract (optional)
• Nonpareils