Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the anise extract until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, then gradually incorporate into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll out to about ¼ inch thick or shape into small balls or sticks.

Arrange the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet with enough space between each.

Sprinkle colorful decorations over each cookie to create a festive look.

Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.