Torta Cebuana

Ingredients

• •2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• •3 tablespoons baking power
• •1/2 teaspoon salt
• •8 egg yolks
• •1 1/3 cup sugar
• •3/4 cup milk
• •1/2 cup pork lard
• •1/3 cup melted butter
• •1/2 cup anis seeds
• •1 egg, slightly beaten
• •cottage cheese, cut in strips
• •sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. 1Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
2. 2In a big bowl, combine egg yolks and 1 1/4 cup sugar. Stir until blended. Set bowl over saucepan containing about 2 inches hot water.
3. 3Set saucepan over low heat and stir the mixture gently until lukewarm
4. 4Remove bowl from saucepan and beat the egg mixture for 8 minutes at medium speed, until the mixture is light, fluffy and cool.
5. 5Blend in 2/3 of the flour mixture alternately with milk. Fold in gently the remaining flour mixture together with lard, butter, and anis seeds.
6. 6Pour into paper-lined torta tins, 2/3 full, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven.
7. 7Brush tops with slightly beaten egg. Arrange strips of cottage cheese, and sprinkle with sugar. Return to oven and continue baking until topping is dry, about 6 minutes.
8. 8Remove from tins and cool on rack