Traditional Sugar Cookies

It's been a busy few weeks of reusing recipes and eating leftovers as we clean out the fridge for the mass of company coming this holiday season. But one of the joys (and curses) of the season is cooking and baking those special goodies. As I've been getting older, the good traditional family recipes are being passed down to me.

My family got this recipe, I believe, from a Betty Crocker cookbook some years back. Every year, Grandma would make these cookies for Christmas, and this year I continued the tradition. It takes a lot of work, but is very good.

Traditional Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup shortening (we use margarine)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups Flour (do not use self-rising flour)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Thoroughly mix shortening, sugar, eggs and flavouring.
Blend in flour, baking powder and salt.

Cover, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured cloth-covered board. (or, as we do, on our flour-covered counter with a floured rolling pin)
Using cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes, and then place on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until very light brown.


We usually ice our cookies too, using this Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe from Betty Crocker

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 to 2 tbsp milk

In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar and butter (either with a spoon or an electric mixer on low)
Stir in vanilla and 1 tbsp of milk.

Gradually beat in remaining milk until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If too thick, beat in more milk. If too thin, beat in more powdered sugar.



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Coconut-Custard Pie

Coconut-Custard Pie, or as we call it in our family, Magic Coconut Custard Pie. Why? Because it makes it's own crust. It's also really easy to make. Just need a blender :D

Recipe taken from the More-with-Less Cookbook, by Doris Janzen Longacre, 25th Anniversary ed., Waterloo, Ontario: Herald Press. pp 279

Coconut-Custard Pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine in blender:
4 eggs
6 Tbsp margarine
1/2 cups flour
2 cups milk
3/4 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla

add:
1 cup shredded coconut

Blend for several seconds. Pour into a greased and floured 10" pie pan, or two 8" pans.

Bake 50-60 minutes.

Pie forms it's own crust, so serve!!!

:D
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