Sugar Cookies -Vajcner-Strimple family recipe

1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup shortening or butter*
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Early in the day or the day before:

In a large bowl cream the shortening and the sugar. Add the eggs, extract and milk. In a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients with a wire wisk. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl. Mix with mixer until well combined. With hands shape dough into dough ball. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Roll half or 1/3 dough at a time while keeping the rest refrigerated. For crisp cookies roll dough paper thin. For softer cookies roll 1/8" to 1/4" ("inch) thick.

With floured cookie cutter make shapes. Re-roll trimmings and re-cut.

Place cookies 1/2 in. apart on the cookie sheets. Bake 8 mins. or until very light brown. Remove cookies to cool.

Makes about 6 dozen small cookies.

*I've found that if you want "sturdy and tasty" cookies you should use 1/2 shortening and 1/2 butter.