Mom's Sugar Cookie Recipe

Since my Mom passed away in 2003, one of the treasures that keeps her memory alive is her delicious Sugar Cookie recipe.  Each Christmas Mom would pull this one out of the cookbook and prepare yummy sugary treats glowing in red and green crystal sugar baked on top.  It's a super easy recipe and since Sugar Cookies aren't just for Christmas anymore, this is a recipe I use often.  Here it is for you to enjoy too:

Ingredients:

2-1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 TBSP milk

Method:

Cream shortening and sugar together.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Add in sifted dry ingredients and then milk.  You may choose once it's mixed to put it in the fridge to 30 mins to harden or you can do what I do and use it right away but make sure you have flour on hand to prevent it from sticking to the counter and rolling pin.

Roll the dough out until just less than 1/4" thick and cut into shapes.  You may sprinkle them with colored sugar at this point, or leave them plain if you want to ice/glaze them later.

Bake at 375 degrees on lightly greased cookie sheets for 5-10 minutes (depending on how hot your oven runs - mine tends to run hot so my cookies are in for less than 5 minutes).  You'll know they are done when the bottom edges begin to turn golden brown.  Watch them carefully so they don't burn!!