sugar cookies

1 1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup shortening or butter

2 eggs

2 Tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 1/4 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Early in the day or the day before:

In a large bowl cream the shortening and the sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, and milk. In a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients with a wire whisk. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl. Mix with mixer until well combined. With hands, shape the dough into a ball. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Roll half or 1/3 dough at a time, keep the rest refrigerated. For crisp cookies, roll the dough paper thing. For softer cookies, roll 1/8" to 1/4" thick (I think this is better than thin).

With floured cutter, cut into shapes. Re-roll trimmings and cut.

Place cookies 1/2 inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake 8 minutes or until very light brown.

*For sturdy and tasty cookies, you should use 1/2 shortening and 1/2 butter. Shortening makes cookies sturdy and butter makes them tasty. (This is what I normally do.)