Shirley's Sugar Cookies

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Happy Valentine's Day!   I decided to bake cookies to decorate for my family for Valentine's Day this year.  I usually make sugar cookies but I don't always do more than slather frosting across them and sprinkle with pretties.  Sometimes I have time and it's fun to make them pretty - my girls who are 11 & 13 and my granddaughter who is 7 will LOVE these. (and I'm pretty sure my sons and grandson won't pass up a cookie just because it's pink and prettied up!)


I used to work with Shirley at a restaurant years ago.  She was like a second Mom to me for several years as we worked and chatted together several evenings a week.  One year for my birthday she gave me a Dough Disc which you can see HERE .   It's a plastic disc with a cotton cover that you slip on when you're ready to roll dough.  It works AMAZING!  Holds the flour nicely and when you're finished you just shake it in the trash & toss the cover in the laundry.  ANYWAY, along with that Dough Disc she gave me her favorite sugar cookie recipe.  It turns out a firmer dough that will hold its shape when using cookie cutters.  It's easy to work with and perfect for fancy decorating.  (For just a tasty, soft, puffy sugar cookie, I love Sour Cream Sugar Cookies best - but they don't work as nicely for pretty decorations - great slathered with frosting and sprinkles though!)

 Shirley's Sugar Cookies

 1/2 C. butter, softened
1/4 C. shortening
1 C. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. lemon or vanilla flavor
1 tsp. baking powder
2 1/2 - 3 C. flour

 Mix together shortening, butter, sugar, eggs and flavoring.  Sift flour, baking powder and salt in separate bowl.  Mix dry ingredients into creamed mixture.  Chill at least 1 hour.  Roll out on floured surface and cut into shapes.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes or until cookie is set.    Cool and frost.  Make approximately 2 dozen 3 inch cookies.

 Joy's Notes:   I like to use the frosting recipe posted HERE.  The frosting recipe is just below the cookie dough recipe.   

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