Combine all ingredients except for the flour. Add flour gradually mixing in using a wooden spoon.

When dough is mixed, roll into small balls between your hands. Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Press each cookie flat using a glass dipped in granulated sugar (dip once for each cookie pressed).

Bake cookies from 8-15 minutes or until lightly golden around edges, with not much color. Small cookies take a shorter time to bake while larger cookies take a longer time. Set your time several minutes early and stand by the oven during the final few moments of baking to avoid overbaking the cookies!

If desired, decorate with crushed pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, slivered almonds or pistachios for the adults, or sprinkle with colored sugars and sprinkles, chocolate chips or cherries for the children.

For a variation, use rum or brandy instead of vanilla. Coconut or banana rum add an exciting hint of tropical flavor to boost a holiday standard out of the doldrums!

Submitted by: CM