Grandma Duench's Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies (Decorations by Liam)

These cookies were always a lot of fun to make, decorate and eat at Christmastime when I was a kid.

2 eggs
2/3 cup white sugar
2/3 cup Crisco shortening
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix together, chill dough in refrigerator, roll out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Bake at 350 F for 8 - 10 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

Icing:
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups icing sugar
1/4 cup milk

Divide up icing and add food coloring in your favorite festive colors.  Ice cookies and add all sorts of decorative combinations (sprinkles, candied cherries, Smarties or M&M's etc.).

Shortbread Meltaways

1 cup unsalted butter - softened
1 1/2 cup icing sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup corn starch
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup Chipits Skor Toffee Bits

Beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla until creamy. Combine flour, corn starch, baking powder and salt. Stir 1/2 into butter mixture. Stir in toffee bits and remaining flour mixture.  Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls.  Space about 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes until golden.

Christmas Cookies

1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup apple juice

Soak raisins in juice for 1 hour and then drain.

2/3 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons soft butter
1 egg
2 cups nuts (I prefer pecans and almonds, walnuts are good too)
1 cup cut up red and green candied cherries

Measure flour and spices
Cream butter, sugar and egg
Add dry ingredients, then nuts, cherries and raisins

Drop about 1 tablespoon portions on a greased pan and bake a 325 F for 12 minutes.