Decorate these sugar cookies to celebrate Christmas or other occasions, or leave them plain.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• granulated sugar, colored sugar, or cinnamon sugar
• icing, optional

Preparation:

Beat butter and shortening together with an electric mixer. Add sugar, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Beat until well combined, scraping bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla then as much flour as you can with the electric mixer. Stir in the remaining flour. Cover and chill for 1 to 3 hours; working with 1/2 of the dough at a time, cut into desired shapes. If desired, sprinkle with colored sugar, granulated sugar, or cinnamon sugar before baking. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 350° for about 8 to 10 minutes, or just until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Ice when cooled, if desired.
Makes about 36 cookies.