HOLIDAY SUGAR COOKIES

HOLIDAY SUGAR COOKIES


INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup solid shortening (butter flavored preferred)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
Cream shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixer bowl
at medium speed of electric mixer until light and creamy.
Cmbine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture,
mixing on low speed until well blended. Cover dough and chill
1 hour, if desired, for easy rolling. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Roll half of dough at a time. Roll out dough on lightly floured
surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter, cut in
desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Roll leftover
pieces. Sprinkle with coloured decorations or leave plain to
decorate when cool. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes,
or until edges are light brown. (Time will vary with cookie
size.) Cool slightly, then remove to cooling rack. Cool
completely before decorating.

Yield: about 36 cookies: varies with cookie size

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -------

FROSTING RECIPE FOR COOKIE DECORATING:

1 pound powdered sugar
2 egg whites (or 5 tablespoons meringue powder if available)

Combine powdered sugar and egg whites or meringue powder
in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle
attachment. Set on low speed. Add 1/2 cup water drop by drop.
For a thinner consistency, usually used as foundation, add
more water. A thicker consistency is generally used for
further embellishing. Beat until the mixture holds a
ribbonlike trail on the surface for five seconds when you
raise the paddle. Makes 6 cups