1/3 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream sugar and shortening well, add egg and blend together. Sift together dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Stir in vanilla. Mix, cover and refrigerate for several hours to overnight.

Roll out to 1/16 inch thickness on a lightly floured pastry cloth or work surface or between sheets of wax paper. (We use a silicone bakers sheet).

Cut into Christmas designs. Brush with egg white or decorate as desired. Cookies may be decorated before or after baking.

Bake at 350°F just until edges are lightly golden (between 10 to 20 minutes - this depends on the size of the cookies you've made and your oven).

Makes about 100 (2 inch) cookies.

Notes: Check your baking powder and toss it if it's older than 6 months.

Submitted by: Mary Anderson