Soften yeast in lukewarm water in small bowl; set aside. Pour boiling water over butter, sugar and salt in large mixing bowl.
Stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cool to lukewarm. Add eggs and anise; beat until well blended. Stir in half the flour; add yeast mixture and stir. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn out on lightly floured board; knead until smooth and elastic. Put into greased bowl, turn to grease top of dough.
Cover with cloth; let rise in warm place, free from drafts, until double in bulk, about 2 hours.
When dough has doubled, punch down and knead in fruits. Shape into two loaves. Place on greased baking sheets; brush with melted butter. Let rise until double in bulk, about 1 hour.
With sharp knife, cut slashed on top. Bake in preheated 350° oven for 50 minutes, or until done.
Brush again with melted butter. Cool on wire racks.
