elves-themselvesWe’re looking forward to a weekend of relaxing, celebrating, and being with family. Knitting Daughter and Web Guy have been here all week, and WH’s mom arrives today. I still can’t quite believe that Christmas is here and the month of December is almost gone! (Know what else is gone? These cute “Elves Themselves” figures because they don’t make them any more. This is my favorite – the one holding the manger.)

Before the New Year diets kick in, you ought to give these cookies a try. They are seriously delicious. S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y. They melt in your mouth and your family will gobble them up and ask you to make more. (Found on Pinterest, from this blog, originally published in the Salt Lake Tribune.)

Paradise-Bakery-Sugar-CookiesParadise Bakery Sugar Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups shortening
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1 large egg, beaten
4 1/3 cups cake flour*
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
plain or colored sugar for decorating

Heat over to 375 degrees.

In medium bowl, cream together both sugars and shortening, using an electric mixer. Mix on slow speed for 30 seconds until blended, and then mix on medium speed for 3 minutes.

Slowly add vanilla and beaten egg, while mixing.

In a separate bowl, combine cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, mixing slowly until just blended. (Do not over mix.)

Roll a tablespoon sized ball in your hand, flatten slightly, and then toss in sugar.

Bake 9-10 minutes.  Cookies are done when small cracks appear on the top and they are pale golden. Do not let the edges get brown.

Let cool and enjoy!

*If you don’t have cake flour on hand – and I didn’t – it’s easy enough to make. Measure out 1 cup of flour. Remove 2 Tbl. of flour from the measuring cup and add in 2 Tbl. of cornstarch instead. Sift this 4-5 times and then it’s ready to use in your recipe. (Since this recipe takes 4 1/3 cups, I measured out 4 1/3 cups of flour, removed 8 Tbl. of the flour, added in 8 Tbl. of cornstarch, and sifted it 5 times. Worked great.)

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, a Loopy Ewe Gift Certificate in your stocking, and a relaxing weekend with the ones you love.

Sheri (with holiday wishes from my whole family to all of you, too!)

(P.S. We’re in the shop and shipping today, but Monday the 26th is a holiday. We’ll be back in there on Tuesday again.)