Cookies, Parties and Chaos... Oh, my!

Over the last couple of days, my life and house has been filled with chaos, cookies and parties! The last day of school for 2016 means Christmas parties for elementary school. Being a room mother means taking over the classroom of 20+ kids for an hour or so. Yesterday, with the help of some other wonderful mothers and their great teacher, I showed the kids how to make sock snowmen. The room full of 3rd graders had a great time making them, then came pizza, a party game and gift card exchange. They had a great time and so did I!

Today, my 8 year olds, guided by my 17 year old, decorated gingerbread houses, while I made royal icing to decorate the sugar cookies we made Monday evening. After a few hours of decorating, my cookies are finished and now ready to be delivered to my husband's friends at work. Next up, fudge and MORE cookies! I decided to include my mother's sugar cookie recipe. I hope it is one everyone will enjoy. They are really delicious and not too sweet! Perfect for icing.

Patty's Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven to 375

2 eggs

1/2 C shortening

1/2 C butter

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 C sugar

2- 1/2 C to 3 C flour

Cream together eggs, shortening, butter and flavorings. Add in baking powder, salt and sugar. Once all mixed in completely, add in flour 1 cup at a time until well combined. Roll into a ball and cover. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The longer the easier it is to work with. Roll out dough on floured surface and cut into shapes. Bake on cookie sheet for 6-8 minutes.

*I used only 6 minutes for my cookies as I like them a bit softer than others. It really depends on how thin you roll out the dough. Thinner cookies will cook faster than the thicker ones.