3/4 c. half butter & half shortening
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix butter and shortening together. The butter is for flavor and the shortening is for crispness. Cream this with the sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and blend well. Sift flour with soda and salt, then re-sift. Then add to butter mixture, blending well. Divide dough in half. Using your hands, roll each half into a long roll about 2" in diameter. (One roll may be frozen for future use if desired.) Cut roll into 1/4" slices or press through a cookie press. Bake on a greased cookie sheet in a preheated 400 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Yield: 5 dozen.

VARIATIONS:

1. PEANUT BUTTER: Combine 1/2 cup peanut butter with 1/2 cup butter. Omit shortening and use 1/2 cup less flour.

2. CHOCOLATE CHIP: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup chopped nuts and 2 tablespoons milk.

3. LEMON WAFER: Add 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon rind and replace vanilla extract with lemon extract.

4. MOLASSES SPICE: Add 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 1/2 teaspoons more soda and replace vanilla with 1 teaspoon each of ginger, cloves and cinnamon.

5. PUMPKIN: Add 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice.

6. FRUITCAKE: Add 1 tablespoon brandy and 1/2 cup chopped citron and nuts.

7. EGGNOG: Add 1 tablespoon rum and 1 teaspoon nutmeg.