Christmas Sugar Cookies

These are a family favorite recipe.  We’ve not only used them at Christmas but for missionary farewell’s too (use the gingerbread man shape with a white shirt, dark suit, and name tag).

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (can use up to 1/2 soft whole wheat flour)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 6 Tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Up to 1 Tablespoon milk if needed

1. Mix butter, shortening and sugar in mixer.
2. Add egg and vanilla.
3. Add flour, baking powder, salt.
4. Roll dough 1/8 – 1/4 inch thick.  Cut out shapes and put on ungreased cookie sheet
5. Bake 375 F for 7-8 minutes or until done.  These are not ‘soft’ cookies.
6. Cool on rack.  Decorate with Decorative Royal Icing (next post).

Large Batch:

• 8 cups flour
• 6 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)
• 1 1/3 cups shortening
• 3 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 4 teaspoons vanilla
• milk if needed