Mama Maggie's Kitchen

0 Add water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise to a small stockpot. 
2 Bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes. 
3 Allow the spice tea to cool completely before using. 
4 Place the flour, cornstarch, lard, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. 
5 Mix together until crumbly. 
6 Add 1/2 cup of the spice tea and the vanilla. 
7 Knead until a small dough forms. 
8 If it's not coming together, add more of the tea, as needed. 
9 Sprinkle flour to a clean surface and add the dough. 
10 Wrap with plastic wrap, and place the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. 
11 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with wax paper. 
12 Flour a working surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. 
13 Cut the dough with a 1.5" (or 4cm) rounded cookie cutter. 
14 Transfer each cookie to the prepared baking sheets. 
15 Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown. 
16 Check at the 18 minute mark. Depending on the weather, they might need up to 20 minutes. 
17 Carefully remove the cookies and coat with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. 
19 Repeat with all the cookies. 
18 Place cookies on a wire rack and allow them to cool down completely.
20 Serve and enjoy!