Soft, Thick Sugar Cookies

Tradition! Tradition! . . . Tradition, Tradition! Now, I've got you singing, I'll soon have you baking. It's tradition to make sugar cookies at our house at Halloween and Valentines (Christmas there is always too much other good stuff being baked). Pumpkins at Halloween; Hearts at Valentines. I got this recipe from a friend years ago, and it really is the best. Roll the dough nice and thick (about 1/4") and don't bake too long and they are soft and delicious. Frost with buttercream frosting(daddy's favorite way) , or Grandpa Gabe's favorite way was when I would sprinkle them with colored sugar before baking. Oh, how he loved those! Happy Valentine baking!

1 cup shortening (I like butter flavored)

1 cup butter, softened

4 cups sugar

4 eggs, room temp. (you can put them in a bowl of warm water while you're gathering ingredients to warm them)

2 cups sour cream

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp. soda

2 T. plus 2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

9 cups flour

In a very large bowl, cream shortening, butter and sugar until fluffy. Add each egg, one at a time, beating well after each one. Add sour cream and vanilla. Turn off beater. Add flour, then all of the other dry ingredients (or you can sift them together). Slowly turn on beater and mix the dry into the wet. Dough will be very sticky. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour. Roll on floured canvas or breadboard and cloth fairly thick. Cut with cookie cutters. Play on sprayed cookie sheet (you can sprinkle with colored sugar here) and bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies. . .just until barely starting to brown. Do not overbake. Frost with buttercream frosting (recipe below) when cool and decorate as desired. They will be soft and thick.

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp.+ vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

2 T. milk

Few drops food coloring

Cream butter and shortening then add vanilla and milk. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well. Beat at high speed until light and fluffy. Add more milk or sugar to get desired consistency. Add food coloring and beat well. This refrigerates well, just beat before using.